A DISGRUNTLED Gokwe teacher was arrested at the weekend
after he allegedly confronted Primary and Secondary Education minister Paul
Mavima and told him off that he was contributing to his misery through
underpayment.
Mavima, who is Gokwe South MP (Zanu PF), was in the
constituency visiting various party structures and supervising some of his
community projects.
A police source in Gokwe South said the suspect, Stephen
Mangoma, of Mateta High School, allegedly confronted Mavima in a bar on Friday,
accusing him of impoverishing teachers.
According to the source, Mangoma said: “I hate you
minister. You are responsible for our suffering and I hate Zanu PF.”
Mavima’s aides reportedly shielded and escorted the
minister to his vehicle before they returned and repeatedly slapped Mangoma.
The following morning, police in Mateta tracked down
Mangoma and arrested him at his school, more than 100km from Gokwe growth
point.
The accused’s relative, who refused to be named, confirmed
that the outspoken teacher was likely to be taken to court today on charges of
disorderly conduct.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko
yesterday said he had not yet been briefed about the issue.
But Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president
Obert Masaraure described Mangoma’s arrest as harassment.
“It is ridiculous and purely harassment of teachers who
decide to challenge the authority for not taking care of their needs,” he said.
“The government of Zanu PF is failing to provide our needs as teachers and when
we ask for our needs, they arrest us.” Newsday
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