KEY POINTS
- ARTUZ criticizes President Mnangagwa for failing to address the impact of the El Niño drought on workers, especially teachers.
- The union accuses Mnangagwa of lavish spending while neglecting efforts to provide food relief and essential services.
- ARTUZ urges Mnangagwa to reflect on his legacy and reconsider his third-term aspirations, citing growing discontent.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has charged President Emmerson Mnangagwa with abandoning the struggling working class, particularly educators.
ARTUZ claimed in a brief statement released on Sunday, coinciding with Mnangagwa’s 82nd birthday celebration in the ancient city of Masvingo, that the government was doing little to save them from famine due to the El Nino drought.
“We join the nation in wishing you a happy birthday. You were born on September 15, 1942, to a peasant family named Mafidhi and Mhurai Mnangagwa. “We understand that because of your peasant background, you are acutely aware of the effects of drought on workers.
“As you are aware, Zimbabwe is experiencing a severe drought; yet, we are concerned that your administration appears to be doing nothing to address the issue. Beyond announcing the State of Emergency, we haven’t seen any significant interventions on the ground,” ARTUZ members stated.
“We anticipated to see you rally your business community to support drought relief initiatives, but there has been no progress on that front. “We expected you to implement austerity measures on elite spending to spare money for food aid. Surprisingly, we see you spending millions on hosting the SADC Summit and now your birthday bash.”
Concerns over elite spending during the drought crisis
According to New Zimbabwe, the teachers’ union also accused the 82-year-old Zanu PF strongman, who is reportedly seeking a third presidential term, of revisiting the reasons for his participation in the independence struggle.
“Mr President, you engaged in the liberation fight to create an equal society known as “Gutsa ruzhinji” (feed the Nation). A society in which the fruits of the Republic are fairly dispersed.
Today, youngsters are collapsing in class due to hunger, but you are unaffected. Your government continues to charge Zimbabwean households affected by the drought with fees for access to school and healthcare.
Union’s call for reflection on legacy and governance
ARTUZ advised Mnangagwa to reflect on his legacy before leaving government. “On your birthday, President Mnangagwa, we want you to reflect on the ideals you once held and the person you have become.
Do you believe Mafidhi and Mhurai would be proud of you? You’ve become cold-hearted and hostile to the people you claim to have liberated.
“If you die today, how will you be remembered? For presiding over the use of the judiciary to pursue dissenters? For lowering civil servant salaries while your family earns a vast fortune. For tormenting anyone who disagrees with your oppressive and exploitative politics.
“There is no other day than today to consider relinquishing your third-term goals. A peaceful transition from your military dictatorship to a democratic civilian administration is a legacy you can still preserve.” The long-suffering teachers, who receive about US$320 per month, condemned Mnangagwa’s birthday, now known as ‘Munhumutapa Day’, as an abomination.
“We do not wish you evil. We wish you a longer life and hope that your conscience will prompt you to care more about the well-being of the people you govern,” ARTUZ concluded.
