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34 female teachers arrested and forced to pay fines
Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)
May 19, 2003

We call on all self-respecting mothers and fathers to support any democratic and peaceful activity related to PTUZ lobbying. It is time to stand up and be counted - after all who taught us how to count?

WOZA is in receipt of information that approximately 60 female teachers went to the Ministry of Education on Monday to meet with officials and to press for an end to the 'retribution or forced transfers' of female teachers. They met with an official who attempted to 'pass the buck' by referring them to the Public Service Commission (PSC). They refused to be referred, arguing that the PSC does not deal with transfers; they left their demands promising to return next Monday 26th May 2003.

Just before noon, they left Ministry offices in Ambassador House and walked through Harare CDB in twos and threes without displaying their placards. They were out of the central business district, close to the Harare Polytechnic when Police Defenders swooped and arrested a group of 10 women. 24 women came upon their colleagues being loaded up and insisted that they too be arrested. All 34 were then transported to Harare Central, where they were made to pay a fine of ZD $5 000 each for conduct likely to breach the peace.

Mothers Day Bulawayo arrestees also observed the same phenomena. The Zimbabwe Republic Police now resort to fundraising as they too feel that the Public Order Security Act (POSA) cannot stand constitutional scrutiny.

WOZA founders and members fully support the demand made by our learned sisters for an immediate end to the 'retribution or forced transfers'. We also note the excessive targeting of female teachers and call upon the Ministry to take the demands and the deadline of one week seriously as it is our social fabric at stake.

WOZA fully support the Progressive Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and especially the Women's Empowerment Department in their campaign to ensure due respect, dignity and fair remuneration is availed to the teachers, as it is in their hands we place the learning of our future generation. We pray that as Monday 26th May 2003 approaches and there has been no end to the tearing apart of families and teachers have not been re-instated in a dignified manner, Zimbabweans will not be lacking in solidarity. We therefore call on all self-respecting mothers and fathers to support any democratic and peaceful activity related to PTUZ lobbying. It is time to stand up and be counted - after all who taught us how to count?

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