THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has petitioned Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube, accusing him of committing “genocide” against civil servants by failing to adjust salaries in line with the soaring cost of living.
ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure submitted the petition yesterday, issuing an ultimatum over unmet government promises.
He warned that failure to address their grievances will result in protests and withdrawal of labour.
“We, the teachers of Zimbabwe, petition you not only as teachers, but as parents, community leaders and struggling citizens,” Masaraure said.
He reminded the minister that during budget debate on December 15, 2025, he promised a salary review in the first quarter of 2026.
“The quarter is coming to an end, but the only communication we have received is an insult from your deputy minister, Kudakwashe David Mnangagwa, who told Parliament that our salaries are competitive,” Masaraure charged.
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He presented 10 key grievances, including the salary crisis, fuel tax hikes and lack of transparency on payslips, labelling them “a systematic genocide against the working class”.
Teachers are demanding a minimum wage of US$1 260, arguing that their current salaries has been reduced to a “survival ration”.
Masaraure also demanded that fuel taxes be removed by March 31, noting that a 40% hike has pushed pump prices to US$2,17 for petrol.
“If the fuel price remains high, we are going to walk on the street,” he warned.
ARTUZ further demanded the restoration of physical payslips or an SMS-based system, arguing that the broken payroll portal leaves rural teachers vulnerable to predatory lenders.
“Section 203(1)(b) is not a suggestion; it is a mandate,” Masaraure said, calling for genuine collective bargaining.
“Unilateral salary decrees strip us of our agency.”
The petition comes after the government promised to review civil service salaries in April in response to the ever increasing cost of living.
This is after nurses in Harare held mini-protests, seeking the resolution of grievances.