University of Zimbabwe withholds salaries of striking lecturers

The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has withheld salaries for lecturers who have now clocked 58 days on strike, escalating tensions in a protracted pay dispute that has thrown the academic calendar into disarray.

Lecturers have been on industrial action since April, demanding the restoration of their pre-2018 salary levels - pegged at US$2,250 per month for junior academic staff. They currently earn about US$230, an amount they say is insufficient in Zimbabwe's inflation-driven economy.

In a move seen as punitive, the university has opted to withhold the salaries of striking lecturers. UZ has not officially addressed the industrial action, but its silence has been broken by what staff describe as an "act of retaliation."

Speaking on behalf of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), spokesperson Obvious Vengeyi condemned the salary deductions, accusing the institution of using coercive tactics to end the strike.

"Of course, it is an act of trying to force our members to return to work for the US$230 they initially rejected," Vengeyi said. "It's a way of arm-twisting certain members of our community to resume teaching."

He added that most affected lecturers remained resolute despite not receiving their pay. "Whether they receive the US$230 or not, they will not return. The majority of us have not been paid - yes. But we remain committed. Until junior lecturers get US$2,250, we will not go back to class."

In an attempt to plug staffing gaps caused by the walkout, the university last month hired adjunct lecturers. However, the AUT has rubbished the move, saying the replacements lack the academic qualifications and experience required for university-level teaching.

"There is no teaching happening at the university. No supervision is taking place. A few scabs have been hired to replace - sort of - the lecturers on strike," said Vengeyi.

The stand-off has severely disrupted operations at Zimbabwe's premier higher learning institution. Examinations have been delayed indefinitely, and there are fears that the academic year could be derailed entirely if the deadlock persists.

Tensions have also spilled into student circles. Last month, six students were arrested after staging flash protests demanding the immediate return of their lecturers, signalling growing discontent on campus.

As the strike drags on, pressure is mounting on both the government and university management to find a lasting solution to avoid a full-blown academic crisis.