Teachers Again Targets of Intimidation in Zimbabwe Constitutional Revision Process
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe charged that a new wave of
violence is rising against teachers under ‘Operation Vharamuromo,’ Shona for
‘Operation Close Your Mouth’ intended to suppress non-ZANU-PF views
Patience Rusere and Jonga Kandemiiri | Washington DC 02 August 2010
Zimbabwean teachers unions said their members have again as in 2008 become
targets of political violence intended to silence them in the country’s
ongoing constitutional revision public outreach process.
The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe charged that a new wave of
violence is rising against teachers under an operation alleged to be mounted
by the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe called “Operation
Vharamuromo,” Shona for “Operation Close Your Mouth” intended to suppress
non-ZANU-PF views.
The union has accused the Ministry of Education of failing to speak out
about the alleged intimidation of and violence against rural teachers, who
were politically targeted during the turbulent 2008 election period.
The PTUZ has appealed to the leaders of the three parties in the national
unity government in power since early 2009 to protect teachers as the public
comment process continues.
Ironically, three teachers and an employee of the Haskett Primary school in
Karoi, Mashonaland West province, were in Karoi magistrates court on Monday
facing assault charges. They were accused of assaulting a ZANU-PF activist
after they were ejected from a constitutional outreach meeting last
Thursday.
PTUZ Programs and Communications Officer Oswald Madziwa said the four
accused – Innocent Nyoni, Rodney Matsaure, Patrick Murira and Clifford
Muchingami – will be back in court on August 16. He told VOA Studio 7
reporter Patience Rusere that they had insisted that their views be heard
during area outreach meetings.
He said the teachers were chased out of the meeting and ZANU-PF supporters
caught up with them the next day at a drinking place where the assault is
alleged to have taken place.
Madziwa said teachers countrywide are being harassed by ZANU-PF supporters
at meetings and ejected on the pretext they do not come from the
constituencies where meetings are held.
Elsewhere, civil society organizations in Matabeleland region said they are
unhappy with how the outreach is unfolding there.Under the umbrella of the
Matabeleland Civil Society Consortium, the groups have voiced their
grievances in writing to the parliamentary select committee heading the
constitutional revision process.
Sources said a meeting was set for Thursday between the groups and the
committee.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association Coordinator Roderick Fayayo told
VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that the committee is not
disseminating information well, leading to poor turnout at meetings.
Select Committee Co-Chairman Douglas Mwonzora said people in Matebeleland
miss important information about the sessions as they do not want to read
the state newspapers in which his panel has placed ads