Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe have taken to the streets once again in a renewed strike demanding higher pay, just a week after a confrontation with police.
The protestors, members of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), are pushing for better wages, following a tense situation in which police disrupted their previous picket, leading to the arrest of three union leaders.
Tensions Rise After Police Arrest Three Union Leaders
Last week, while demonstrating on campus, police arrested three key figures from the AUT: Borncase Mwakorera, Obvious Vengeyi, and Desmond Ndedzu.
These arrests occurred as the union leaders were advocating for their rights.
The confrontation with police has only intensified the lecturers’ determination to continue their fight for fair compensation.
Court Ruling Supports Lecturers’ Right to Protest
In a significant legal development, a High Court judge recently ruled that members of the AUT have a legal right to protest.
This ruling has given the lecturers the backing they need, and as a result, they’ve obtained a court order that explicitly prohibits the police from interfering with their peaceful strikes.
The union has informed the authorities that they will continue their demonstrations on the 24th and 25th of April, between 9 AM and 2 PM.
Lecturers Boycott Classes as Strike Continues
On Thursday, the lecturers held a full-scale boycott of their classes.
With their grievances still unresolved, it’s highly likely that they will continue their protests into Friday as well.
This ongoing strike is a direct challenge to both the university administration and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, which has yet to address the lecturers’ demands satisfactorily.
Struggling to Make Ends Meet with Low Salaries
The root of the protests is the lecturers’ extremely low salaries.
According to a letter from the AUT, lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe are currently earning less than US$250 (around R4,695) a month, with some even struggling to make ends meet.
To make matters worse, the university expects them to provide their own tools for work, including laptops, smartphones, and data for online teaching, as well as transport to and from work.
Lecturers Demand Fair Pay and Livable Salaries
The lecturers are now demanding at least $2,500 (R46,950) a month for a junior lecturer position, a figure that reflects the salary levels they received before October 2018.
Their demand for a significant pay increase is aimed at providing them with a fair standard of living, as the current wage has left many in a state of financial hardship.
Community Response
The situation at the University of Zimbabwe has sparked a broader conversation about the state of education and the livelihoods of teachers in the country.
As tensions rise and the strike continues, many are calling for urgent action to resolve the crisis and ensure that lecturers are properly compensated for their hard work and dedication.