News / National
Teacher victimised for supporting opposition
25 Jul 2012 at 06:47hrs | Views
A teacher who chaired the School Development Committee (SDC) at a school in Bikita South has been ordered to step down and resign from her job, after she spoke out over funds being misused by a senior official. But the real issue has turned out to be political, with Zanu-PF intimidating teachers and residents of Mberengwa South.
The teacher, named only as Angie for fear of reprisals, told SW Radio Africa that she was arrested on July 18th and accused of defamation, after she asked the deputy headmaster named Hari to account for school funds he had spent on groceries for the students. The supplies were purchased from Hari's own shop.
Angie said the headmaster then told her that the charges would only be dropped if she apologized to Hari. A meeting was arranged for her to apologise in front of parents and according to Angie the Zanu-PF district chairman, Nathan Zeya, was also present.
But the apology served no purpose because the charges were not dropped and Angie was told that parents at the school do not want her there any longer. The teacher said she then realised that there was something else at play.
Angie remembered that in the meeting she had been accused of favouring MDC supporters when it comes to hiring assistants at the school. "Handi ite zvebato re MDC pa basa," she said ( I do not conduct MDC business when I am at work). But she said many teachers and parents are afraid and they have gone against her in fear.
Ward 8 in Bikita South is said to be very tense. Zanu-PF officials are reported to be on a serious party registration drive, holding meetings at least three times a week to register first time voters. Residents are being threatened by party members, who say they will visit those who do not register at their homes during the night.
The teacher, named only as Angie for fear of reprisals, told SW Radio Africa that she was arrested on July 18th and accused of defamation, after she asked the deputy headmaster named Hari to account for school funds he had spent on groceries for the students. The supplies were purchased from Hari's own shop.
Angie said the headmaster then told her that the charges would only be dropped if she apologized to Hari. A meeting was arranged for her to apologise in front of parents and according to Angie the Zanu-PF district chairman, Nathan Zeya, was also present.
But the apology served no purpose because the charges were not dropped and Angie was told that parents at the school do not want her there any longer. The teacher said she then realised that there was something else at play.
Angie remembered that in the meeting she had been accused of favouring MDC supporters when it comes to hiring assistants at the school. "Handi ite zvebato re MDC pa basa," she said ( I do not conduct MDC business when I am at work). But she said many teachers and parents are afraid and they have gone against her in fear.
Ward 8 in Bikita South is said to be very tense. Zanu-PF officials are reported to be on a serious party registration drive, holding meetings at least three times a week to register first time voters. Residents are being threatened by party members, who say they will visit those who do not register at their homes during the night.
Source - SW Radio
