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Zimbabwe teachers demand US dollar salaries, bonus

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta), the country’s largest teachers’ union, has warned that there ‘will be disruptions of activities within schools’ if their members do not get this year’s bonus in United States dollars.

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Zimta on Monday said it had met at the weekend and came up with what it termed the Ehlekweni-Bulawayo Declaration where demands for foreign currency denominated bonuses were made.

“Teachers are demanding that the employer must pay a bonus in United States dollars this month of November 2021 because teachers are sinking deeper into incapacitation each and every day,”Zimta said.

“This is the only way to avert crushing them deeper into poverty and dysfunction,”

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They also demanded that the government must put in place a facility that would enable teachers to access the weekly US$50 from their individual nostro accounts.

Zimta said its members were not able to utilise the facility where Zimbabweans can buy foreign currency at the official exchange rate through financial institutions.

“Ultimately, this move will enable educators to access part of their salaries in US dollars and eventually solve a longstanding grievance from the teachers,” the association said.

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Zimta also wants the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) to pay teachers that would be invigilating this year’s final examinations.

“This is the only way to guarantee quality of examinations while motivating the teachers and introducing equity in the treatment of all those who manage examinations,” it added.

“Evidence at hand has proved that Zimsec has the capacity to pay for invigilation of exams by teachers.”

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Zimta added: ” Finally, and most importantly, the declaration stated that the salary for a Grade D level teacher of US$540 has to be honoured by November 2021 at the latest.

“The Zimta-Ehlekweni Bulawayo, November 2021 Declaration further stipulates and warns the employer that failure to meet these demands from the educators, within the above specified time frames may lead into disruptions of activities within schools, compromising the quality and equal access to education for learners, disturbing examination invigilation and ultimately the failure of moderation and capture of Continuous Assessment Learning Activity results.”

Zimbabwe’s teachers say their salaries have been eroded by inflation and the collapse of the local currency.

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Since 2018 they have been demanding that the government restores their salaries to the equivalent of US$520, which they were earning before the re-introduction of the local currency.

An average Zimbabwean teacher now earns less than US$200 a month.

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Police Hunt For A Nkayi Murder Fugitive

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Nkayi man is reportedly on the run after allegedly assaulting a fellow villager with an unknown object on the head on New Year’s Day. 

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Police have identified the fugitive at Joinisa Tshuma from Dabe village who is being sought for a murder charge. 

“ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Joinisa Tshuma who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which Mcebisi Moyo died on 07/01/24,” police appealed. 

“The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim on the head with an unknown object near a bush in Dabe Village, Nkayi on 01/01/24 before he fled the scene.”

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According to police, the victim sustained some head injuries and he was admitted at Nkayi District Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Meanwhile, Police in Machipisa are also  investigating a case of murder which occurred on Wednesday, in which a yet to be identified male adult approximately aged 30 years who was wearing a yellow t-shirt, black trousers, black gum boots and a black cap, was found lying dead with a stab wound on the back near Mapuranga Transport Service Garage in Harare. 

Police are also appealing to the public with information surrounding the incident. 

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“Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.” 

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Full ZRP Statement on Armed Robberies Raiding Elite Schools 

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As the schools open, parents and guardians are in the process of paying school fees, levies and other related school costs, for their children.

School authorities are therefore urged to deposit all monies at financial institutions to curb armed robbery cases.

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The issue of collecting cash by school authorities at schools should be reconsidered given the recent armed robbery cases.

The Police has recorded armed robbery cases in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi in which schools are being targeted.

In one of the cases, unknown suspects pounced at George Silundika High School at corner George Silundika Street and Third Avenue, Bulawayo on 06th January 2024, where they stole US$17 280.00 cash which was in a cash box.

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In another case which occurred at Lomagundi College, Chinhoyi on 09th January 2024, 12 unknown suspects attacked security guards before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, a Mazda Tribute motor vehicle, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.

School authorities are urged to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who constantly monitor and review deployments.

Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices.

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The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information.

Members of the public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery syndicates will be arrested.

Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest.

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ARTUZ condemns government for opening of school amid Cholera outbreak

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the government’s decision to reopen schools due to the cholera outbreak wreaking havoc in most parts of the country, labeling the move reckless and disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers. 

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Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week showed since the outbreak of cholera, Zimbabwe has recorded 15 137 suspected cholera cases, 1 759 confirmed cases, 14 578 recoveries, 67 confirmed deaths and 266 suspected deaths.

“We vehemently condemn the government’s reckless decision to open schools amidst the widespread cholera outbreak, completely disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers,” reads the statement.

“We demand that the government immediately mobilize substantial resources to ensure the safe reopening of schools because our children deserve nothing less than a secure and conducive learning environment. 

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“It is the duty of the government to provide sanitary solutions and ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

The union also called on the government to consider an upward increment of teachers’ salaries, criticizing the government’s lack of engagement with educators, particularly regarding their ongoing demand for a US$1 260 salary.

“Also, it is utterly disappointing to witness such a hasty move without even bothering to engage with the educators who have been tirelessly advocating for a just salary of US$1260.

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“The safety and welfare of our students and teachers should be the utmost priority, but it seems that the government is callously neglecting this responsibility.

“It is high time for the government to prioritize the well-being of our education system and take meaningful action to address the urgent needs of our dedicated teachers. ” 

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