Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has demanded a public apology from Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerai Moyo, threatening legal action if he fails to retract the statements in which he dismissed the union as an opposition party affiliate.
He made the remarks during the World Teachers’ Day commemorations held in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, on October 10, where he allegedly claimed that ARTUZ is funded by an opposition political party and has fewer than 100 members.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure condemned the statements as “reckless and unverified”, alleging that they were calculated to damage the organisation’s integrity and credibility.
“You owe a perpetual duty to the community. You failed to verify the veracity of the allegations you made against our organisation,” Masaraure wrote in a letter of complaint addressed to Moyo.
“The same constitutes a deliberate and/or negligent violation of our organisation’s constitutionally-entrenched rights.”
ARTUZ warned that it is prepared to pursue judicial processes to protect its rights and reputation if Moyo does not publicly withdraw his statements within 72 hours.
“We hold a firm brief and mandate to assert these rights through judicial processes and remedies should it become necessary,” the letter read.
“Your statements were not only false but designed to discredit ARTUZ in the eyes of the public.
“We demand that you take full responsibility and retract them unconditionally.”
ARTUZ has been at the forefront demanding improved working conditions for teachers in the country.
The union has previously organised teachers to press the government to increase the educators’ salaries.
ARTUZ is demanding at least US$1 000 for the least paid teacher.
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