Three University of Zimbabwe lecturers were arrested on April 16, 2025, for participating in a strike over salaries and working conditions. The arrested lecturers are:
– Obvious Vengeyi: Professor at the Department of Religious Studies, Classics and Philosophy
– Desmond Ndedzu: Public finance expert in the Economics Department
– Boncase Mwakorera: Aeronautical engineering lecturer and Air Force of Zimbabwe Group Captain
The lecturers are demanding reinstatement of their salaries to pre-October 2018 levels of $2,250 per month for junior lecturers. Currently, they earn $230 plus a local currency component of less than $200 per month. The salaries were slashed by 87% in 2018, leaving lecturers struggling to meet basic needs.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has been in a battle with the University of Zimbabwe administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo, since 2018. Despite sending over 27 letters requesting salary adjustments, the AUT received only one response, leading to the decision to strike.
The lecturers have embarked on an indefinite strike, withdrawing their labor and tools of work, including computers, mobile phones, and data. They will not participate in research, teaching, or university service until their demands are met.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions have issued solidarity messages in support of the UZ lecturers
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