ZANU PF is in the eye of a storm amid accusations that its officials are disrupting learning at schools, especially in rural areas as campaigning for the August 23 elections heats up.
The Standard established that aspiring candidates and
their supporters were sometimes holding campaign meetings at schools where they
force teachers and learners to attend.
In 2018, Masvingo High Court Judge, Justice Joseph Martin
Mafusire barred Zanu PF from abusing learners, teachers and school property in
pursuit of personal political interests.
The United Nations (UN) welcomed the ruling saying it was
in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states ‘that the
best interests of the child must be the paramount consideration in every
situation, and at all times.’
In Mutare, Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC) aspiring
candidate for Mutasa Central, Trevor Saruwaka, lodged a complaint with the
Education ministry recently after accusing the Zanu PF candidate, Innocent
Benza of launching his campaign at Vumbunu Primary School.
Educators Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general, Tapedza
Zhou, said reports of lessons being disrupted by Zanu PF officials were a cause for concern.
“The future of our children is by far more valuable than
the 2023 elections that shall come and go like dew,” Zhou said
“Holding the whole nation at ransom, trivialising the
education of our children and disregarding the constitution with impunity have
no place in a civilised society and negate the spirit of the second republic.”
Zhou said learners should also not be exposed to violent
campaigns.
“We all have a duty to be responsible enough to protect our
future generations from political violence.”
“Learning must go on undisturbed.”
Amalgamated Rural Teachers of Zimbabwe leader, Obert
Masaraure, condemned the disruption of lessons as barbaric.
“The former liberators are now dragging learners to
political rallies, abusing school property for political gain and even abusing
teachers in pursuit of private political interests,” Masaraure said.
“They have successfully made learning impossible in our
schools.
“If these people remain in power the education of our
children will be at risk. Zimbabwe needs a break from this barbarism.”
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson,
Taungana Ndoro, said he was not aware of such allegations when contacted for
comment.
Zanu PF spokesperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the
ruling party was not disrupting any lessons.
“We know where this is coming from,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Zanu PF as a revolutionary party we value education and we
are not fools to disrupt lessons.”
In 2018, legislative watchdog Veritas and the Association
of Rural Teachers Unions of Zimbabwe went to the High Court challenging Zanu PF
for forcing school authorities to provide transport and other services for its
supporters to rallies as well as forcing schoolchildren to attend political
rallies. Standard
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