Progressive Teachers Union Splits Over Alleged Zanu PF Links
The new union calling itself the Progressive Professional Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe says Raymond Majongwe is now advancing Zanu PF politics.
WASHINGTON DC — The Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has reportedly split with some of the rebelling members accusing the union’s leadership of advancing Zanu PF politics at the expense of the poorly remunerated teachers. Some members of the PTUZ on Thursday announced that they have left the teachers’ union to form a splinter organization alleging that PTUZ secretary general Raymond Majongwe has abandoned the founding values of the union. Wilson Makanyaire, the interim president of the new union calling itself the Progressive Professional Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, told Studio 7 that Majongwe was now advancing Zanu PF politics, a move that was not agreed by all union members. Studio 7 however failed to reach Majongwe as his mobile phone was unreachable. PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou told Studio 7 Makanyaire has never been a PTUZ leader. He said the interim president was infact helped by the PTUZ when he was on the verge of losing his job. Zhou said all PTUZ members are backing Makanyaire. Meanwhile, Makanyaire said his new union has already been registered with the government, adding that the new organization has also recruited over 2,000 members countrywide so far. Makanyaire urged government to do an upward review of teachers’ salaries to at least $1,200 per month saying teachers are not happy with the salaries that they are currently being paid. He warned that his organization will call for a teachers’ strike in January if the government does not effect a pay rise when finance minister Patrick Chinamasa presents his 2015 national budget. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is also urging the government to ensure that all workers are paid wages and salaries that are above the poverty datum line. Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa is expected to present the national budget in parliament next month.