THE government on Friday failed to commit itself to paying civil servants in foreign currency, ending hopes that striking teachers would return to work.Government announced that schools will open on Tuesday.
The APEX Council made up of the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) and the Public Service Association, representing the rest of the civil service said the government failed to offer their members anything concrete at the crucial meeting of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC).
Teachers who have been on strike since last year demanding better pay immediately vowed not to return to work until their demands were met.
They now want to be paid in foreign currency with a minimum salary pegged at US$2 300.
The government has already been forced to delay the start of the new term by two weeks because of mounting problems in the education sector.
“Regrettably, the conditions that have incapacitated the workers from delivering service as expected continue to affect our members,” Zimta president Tendai Chikowore told journalists after the meeting.
“The workers have neither the financial resources to travel to work nor to sustain themselves.”
Chikowore, who also chairs the APEX council, said they would “continue to fail to report for duty due to circumstances emanating from incapacitation”.
Educationists said despite the government’s insistence that schools and colleges would open this week, developments on the ground pointed to a chaotic situation in the sector.
They warned schools were not ready for the new term, and going ahead would only disadvantage learners.
The challenges that forced schools to close prematurely last year have worsened this year. In addition, Grade VII results have not yet been published, which makes it impossible for all secondary schools to enrol Form Is this year.
The country’s biggest teachers’ unions — the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and Zimta — were unanimous that schools could not open under the current circumstances.
Delays by government in approving proposals by schools to charge fees in foreign currency have also worsened the situation, with parents still unsure how much their children would be required to pay two days before the proposed start of the term.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers would not go back to work until they were paid in foreign currency.
This month they were paid between Z$20 trillion and $50 trillion, depending on experience and qualifications.
“Unless our demands are met,” he said, “teachers will not go back to work and parents should not waste their hard-earned money paying fees for the first term.
“If they pay, they should pay knowing very well that we are not going to teach.”
Zhou said 70 000 out of Zimbabwe’s 150 000 teachers had not communicated their resignation by mid-last year.
He said 40% of those who remained were unqualified temporary teachers or youth militias, recruited to fill the gap.
Oswald Madziva, the PTUZ spokesperson, said the government lacked public support on the opening of schools and could only proceed on the strength of its “traits of arrogance, lack of consultation and accountability”.
PTUZ also accused the government of failing “to give enough information to the donor community so that it could make adequate interventions”.
Meanwhile, tertiary institutions that were expected to open tomorrow are set to face the same disruptions, with students vowing to resist paying fees in foreign currency.
“We express our deep anger and disappointment to the government on the collapse of our country’s education system,” said Blessing Vava, spokesperson of the Zimbabwe National Students Union.
“Schools and colleges are opening at a time when there is a proposal to force students to pay astronomical fees in foreign currency which is out of reach of many.
“We urge students to remain resilient and boycott paying fees in foreign currency and we demand that we pay in local currency because our parents are not earning in foreign currency.”
On Wednesday last week, students at the country’s premier education institution, the University of Zimbabwe, went on a rampage protesting against the proposed foreign currency fees.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Lawyers challenge new passport fees
By Vusumuzi Sifile
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights last week officially complained to the Registrar-General, Tobaiwa Mudede, over the recent increase in foreign currency-denominated passport fees.This they argued was an unreasonable violation of citizens’ rights and freedoms.
Last month, the RG’s office released a schedule containing new foreign currency-denominated fees for travel documents.
Under the new charges, an adult passport costs US$670 while a child will have to pay US$607 for a passport.
To renew a passport, one has to part with US$400. The new charges are many times more than the standard fee charged in most major economies.
In a letter to Mudede on Thursday, litigation lawyer Range Nyamurundira said passports were “basic national documents to which any citizen of Zimbabwe is entitled”.
They challenged the RG to review the charges to the same levels as in neighbouring countries, failure of which would result in legal action against Mudede.
“A passport serves not only as a means of identification but for many individuals is a symbol of belonging and national pride” Nyamurundira said.
“More importantly not only is a passport a means of identification but it is also the means through which certain basic human rights can be exercised by Zimbabwean citizens.
“One such right whose enjoyment is exercised only by means of possession and use of a passport is the right to freedom of movement.”
He quoted Section 22 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides that: “No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, that is to say, the right to move freely throughout Zimbabwe, the right to reside in any part of Zimbabwe, the right to enter and to leave Zimbabwe and immunity from expulsion from Zimbabwe.”
Nyamurundira said the new fees were “not reasonably justifiable” and far beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans who have no access to foreign currency.
Giving an example of civil servants who were recently promised monthly salaries of US$50, Nyamurundira said it would take almost a year to raise enough money to acquire a passport, foregoing all other needs in one’s life.
He said cross-border traders would also be hardest hit, as the new fees “deny them the very passport that allows their livelihood by imposing exorbitant and unreasonable passport charges.” It was a severe limitation and violation of their rights and freedoms,” he said.
It could not be immediately established if Mudede received the letter, also copied to the parent Ministry of Home Affairs.
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights last week officially complained to the Registrar-General, Tobaiwa Mudede, over the recent increase in foreign currency-denominated passport fees.This they argued was an unreasonable violation of citizens’ rights and freedoms.
Last month, the RG’s office released a schedule containing new foreign currency-denominated fees for travel documents.
Under the new charges, an adult passport costs US$670 while a child will have to pay US$607 for a passport.
To renew a passport, one has to part with US$400. The new charges are many times more than the standard fee charged in most major economies.
In a letter to Mudede on Thursday, litigation lawyer Range Nyamurundira said passports were “basic national documents to which any citizen of Zimbabwe is entitled”.
They challenged the RG to review the charges to the same levels as in neighbouring countries, failure of which would result in legal action against Mudede.
“A passport serves not only as a means of identification but for many individuals is a symbol of belonging and national pride” Nyamurundira said.
“More importantly not only is a passport a means of identification but it is also the means through which certain basic human rights can be exercised by Zimbabwean citizens.
“One such right whose enjoyment is exercised only by means of possession and use of a passport is the right to freedom of movement.”
He quoted Section 22 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides that: “No person shall be deprived of his freedom of movement, that is to say, the right to move freely throughout Zimbabwe, the right to reside in any part of Zimbabwe, the right to enter and to leave Zimbabwe and immunity from expulsion from Zimbabwe.”
Nyamurundira said the new fees were “not reasonably justifiable” and far beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans who have no access to foreign currency.
Giving an example of civil servants who were recently promised monthly salaries of US$50, Nyamurundira said it would take almost a year to raise enough money to acquire a passport, foregoing all other needs in one’s life.
He said cross-border traders would also be hardest hit, as the new fees “deny them the very passport that allows their livelihood by imposing exorbitant and unreasonable passport charges.” It was a severe limitation and violation of their rights and freedoms,” he said.
It could not be immediately established if Mudede received the letter, also copied to the parent Ministry of Home Affairs.
Pessimism overshadows Sadc summit
By Vusumuzi Sifile
SOUTHERN African Development Community (Sadc) leaders Monday face their sternest test so far when they meet in South Africa for an extraordinary summit.
The summit will either save or mark the end of the stalled power-sharing deal on Zimbabwe.
Zanu PF and the MDC formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai go into the meeting with parallel hard-line stances that, barring a miracle, could all but confirm the collapse of the envisaged all-inclusive government.
Tomorrow’s meeting also comes amid reports President Robert Mugabe and Tsvangirai held a secret inconclusive meeting on Thursday to resolve their differences.
But MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said he was not aware of the meeting.
Tsvangirai, whose party has insisted on an equitable distribution of key cabinet posts before the September 15 deal is consummated told civil society organisations at a meeting in Harare the dialogue could not go on for ever.
He said tomorrow’s meeting would be the last under Sadc mediation.
This was after the civic groups, who are among the MDC-T’s key backers, told Tsvangirai to come out openly on “whether there is an all-inclusive government or not”.
His silence, the MDC leader was told, had crippled a number of activities.
Prospects of the deal’s collapse heightened last week when a Sadc team led by President Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa failed to break the impasse between the two parties, hence tomorrow’s summit.
Since then the parties have been firing accusations at each other over the collapse of the deal.
Both Zanu PF and the MDC are understood to have over the last week prepared dossiers to be presented at the summit.
Mugabe would seek to convince Sadc to endorse his decision to unilaterally form a government without the MDC, while the MDC would also insist on its five demands tabled at last week’s meeting.
The MDC position paper proposes that Mugabe, among the 10 key ministries, retains control of Defence, National Security, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Land.
Tsvangirai’s party is also demanding equitable sharing of the 10 provincial governors, as well as the release of political detainees.
Chamisa yesterday confirmed the party’s position, saying they were confident Sadc would address their concerns.
“It would be tragic if Sadc leaders were to continue to endorse the arrogance and rigidity of Zanu PF,” Chamisa said.
“We hope they will have an objective eye, a receptive ear and an open mind to address and understand the extent, scope and nature of the crisis in Zimbabwe.”
Chamisa said Zanu PF had “a casino mentality, where they are just concerned about who wins most and who loses most”, ignoring the plight of the people of Zimbabwe.
Addressing journalists, Zanu PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa said his party was “not going to agree to a reopening of the subject on allocation of ministers” and the appointment of provincial governors.
He said abducted and currently detained political activists would also not be released.
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson, Dr Lovemore Madhuku yesterday said Sadc was unlikely to give in to all the MDC’s demands, but would “want to be seen to have met the MDC halfway”.
Meanwhile, in a move that could cloud the Sadc extraordinary summit in Pretoria tomorrow, police yesterday banned an MDC rally that was scheduled for Huruyadzo Shopping Centre in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza today saying there was too much anxiety on the fate of tommorow’s talks.
Although police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena was not immediately available, MDC officials confirmed police had stopped them from holding the rally.
MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said in their communication, the police said the rally had not been banned, but “postponed”.
“They said there is currently a lot of anxiety because of the inter-party talks,” Chamisa said.
The rally was meant to update supporters on the state of the stalled inter-party talks.
The MDC leadership was also expected to use the rally to get an appreciation from supporters on the current cholera outbreak, which has claimed close to 3 000 lives.
Published in The S
By Vusumuzi Sifile
SOUTHERN African Development Community (Sadc) leaders Monday face their sternest test so far when they meet in South Africa for an extraordinary summit.
The summit will either save or mark the end of the stalled power-sharing deal on Zimbabwe.
Zanu PF and the MDC formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai go into the meeting with parallel hard-line stances that, barring a miracle, could all but confirm the collapse of the envisaged all-inclusive government.
Tomorrow’s meeting also comes amid reports President Robert Mugabe and Tsvangirai held a secret inconclusive meeting on Thursday to resolve their differences.
But MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said he was not aware of the meeting.
Tsvangirai, whose party has insisted on an equitable distribution of key cabinet posts before the September 15 deal is consummated told civil society organisations at a meeting in Harare the dialogue could not go on for ever.
He said tomorrow’s meeting would be the last under Sadc mediation.
This was after the civic groups, who are among the MDC-T’s key backers, told Tsvangirai to come out openly on “whether there is an all-inclusive government or not”.
His silence, the MDC leader was told, had crippled a number of activities.
Prospects of the deal’s collapse heightened last week when a Sadc team led by President Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa failed to break the impasse between the two parties, hence tomorrow’s summit.
Since then the parties have been firing accusations at each other over the collapse of the deal.
Both Zanu PF and the MDC are understood to have over the last week prepared dossiers to be presented at the summit.
Mugabe would seek to convince Sadc to endorse his decision to unilaterally form a government without the MDC, while the MDC would also insist on its five demands tabled at last week’s meeting.
The MDC position paper proposes that Mugabe, among the 10 key ministries, retains control of Defence, National Security, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Land.
Tsvangirai’s party is also demanding equitable sharing of the 10 provincial governors, as well as the release of political detainees.
Chamisa yesterday confirmed the party’s position, saying they were confident Sadc would address their concerns.
“It would be tragic if Sadc leaders were to continue to endorse the arrogance and rigidity of Zanu PF,” Chamisa said.
“We hope they will have an objective eye, a receptive ear and an open mind to address and understand the extent, scope and nature of the crisis in Zimbabwe.”
Chamisa said Zanu PF had “a casino mentality, where they are just concerned about who wins most and who loses most”, ignoring the plight of the people of Zimbabwe.
Addressing journalists, Zanu PF chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa said his party was “not going to agree to a reopening of the subject on allocation of ministers” and the appointment of provincial governors.
He said abducted and currently detained political activists would also not be released.
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson, Dr Lovemore Madhuku yesterday said Sadc was unlikely to give in to all the MDC’s demands, but would “want to be seen to have met the MDC halfway”.
Meanwhile, in a move that could cloud the Sadc extraordinary summit in Pretoria tomorrow, police yesterday banned an MDC rally that was scheduled for Huruyadzo Shopping Centre in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza today saying there was too much anxiety on the fate of tommorow’s talks.
Although police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena was not immediately available, MDC officials confirmed police had stopped them from holding the rally.
MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa said in their communication, the police said the rally had not been banned, but “postponed”.
“They said there is currently a lot of anxiety because of the inter-party talks,” Chamisa said.
The rally was meant to update supporters on the state of the stalled inter-party talks.
The MDC leadership was also expected to use the rally to get an appreciation from supporters on the current cholera outbreak, which has claimed close to 3 000 lives.
Published in The S
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