POLICE have crackdown on Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) protest against the “death” of their salaries, arresting its leader Obert Masaraure and the union’s lawyer Douglas Coltart.
Police also rounded up the union members Gerald Tavengwa, Nation Mudzitirwa, Tryvine Musokori, Godfrey Chanda, Simon Drury and shepherd Tazvivinga, who were at the offices of the Ministry of Finance protesting against the depreciation of their salaries due to the soaring inflation.
NewZimbabwe.com journalist Leopold Munhende was also arrested in ensuing melee.
The demonstration had been prohibited by police but the teachers still went ahead clamoring for decent salaries that match with the rapid increase in prices of basic commodities.
Speaking to this publication earlier this week Masarure said the Union will not back down on their demand for decent salaries as the teachers are no longer capacitated to carry out their duties.
“We want restoration of the value of our salaries, our old salaries paid using the interbank rate and teachers from all unions are agreeing with our Pay Day Funeral and will be joining us,” he said.
Teachers all over the country have been demanding salaries in United States Dollars or equivalent rate since last year October.
Last month government gave all civil servants a hardship allowance of ZWL$400 to cushion them from the current hyperinflation.
Trade Unions argue the allowance was not enough.