News / National
BREAKING: Court bans pupils, teachers from attending ZANU PF rallies
18 Jan 2019 at 08:53hrs | Views
The High court of Zimbabwe has granted application by the Amalgamated Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) to implement an order barring pupils and teachers to be forced to attend political rallies and wearing party regalia pending an appeal by ZANU PF.
In a statement on Friday ARTUZ's lawyer Doug Coltart said, "The application to implement the #SafeSchools High Court order pending ZANU PF's appeal has been granted. This means political parties cannot ask, encourage or force school children to rallies or compel teachers to attend and use school property without consent."
Coltart urged Zimbabwe to assist in the implementation of this order by contacting him if they see any political party violating it.
"If anyone sees or knows of any violations of this Court Order, please take photographs/videos and send me a Direct Message (on Twitter). Please spread the word that the Court order is back in operation despite ZANU PF's efforts to suspend it. Let's protect our children from political exploitation."
When questioned whether it will be feasible for schools to refuse when political parties want to hire out the facilities Coltart said, "Yes that wasn't there in the original order but was a concession made at this hearing because protecting children from being forced to rallies was most important issue for ARTUZ while buses/venues was ZANU PF's major sticking point. They really want to use school property.
"It makes that aspect of the order more difficult to enforce because it relies on brave Headmasters and School Development Committees standing up to ZANU PF/Minister of Education and being willing to testify. But at very least they now have legal cover to be able to say No."
In a statement on Friday ARTUZ's lawyer Doug Coltart said, "The application to implement the #SafeSchools High Court order pending ZANU PF's appeal has been granted. This means political parties cannot ask, encourage or force school children to rallies or compel teachers to attend and use school property without consent."
Coltart urged Zimbabwe to assist in the implementation of this order by contacting him if they see any political party violating it.
"If anyone sees or knows of any violations of this Court Order, please take photographs/videos and send me a Direct Message (on Twitter). Please spread the word that the Court order is back in operation despite ZANU PF's efforts to suspend it. Let's protect our children from political exploitation."
When questioned whether it will be feasible for schools to refuse when political parties want to hire out the facilities Coltart said, "Yes that wasn't there in the original order but was a concession made at this hearing because protecting children from being forced to rallies was most important issue for ARTUZ while buses/venues was ZANU PF's major sticking point. They really want to use school property.
"It makes that aspect of the order more difficult to enforce because it relies on brave Headmasters and School Development Committees standing up to ZANU PF/Minister of Education and being willing to testify. But at very least they now have legal cover to be able to say No."
Source - Byo24News
