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Striking UZ lecturers demand backpay
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A labour dispute is brewing at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), with lecturers claiming that management is using "dirty" tactics to punish staff following a four-month strike.
Some lecturers resumed duties at the start of this semester, but many have not yet received their salaries, raising fears of retaliation against those who participated in the industrial action. "There appears to be silent moves to deal with those who were on strike," said one lecturer, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It is possible they are delaying putting people back on payroll so that they get frustrated and leave."
The discontent has been exacerbated by the suspension and dismissal of the leadership of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), leaving lecturers without a unified voice. The suspended leaders have appealed their case at the Labour Court.
Adding to tensions, the UZ administration is actively recruiting new faculty members. "We are seeing papers coming to department boards across the campus for new appointments," reported a dean involved in the process. Many lecturers fear for their job security amid ongoing negotiations over pay and working conditions.
Lecturers earn a basic minimum of US$230 per month and are demanding a review to US$2,250 to restore salaries to pre-2018 levels. The strike, which began on April 16, 2025, disrupted academic activities significantly, leaving both students and staff grappling with the consequences.
Vice-Chancellor Paul Mapfumo has publicly labelled the striking lecturers "retrogressive," further straining relations between faculty and administration. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Students have also voiced frustration over the standoff. "The lecturers are not doing enough; they just load us with assignments," said accounting student Munashe Chichetu. "They should be brave enough to stay away from lecture rooms instead of pretending. It's us students who suffer."
The University of Zimbabwe, once rated among the best in Africa during the 1980s, was historically heavily subsidised by the government with limited donor support. At the time, students also received government grants to support their education.
Some lecturers resumed duties at the start of this semester, but many have not yet received their salaries, raising fears of retaliation against those who participated in the industrial action. "There appears to be silent moves to deal with those who were on strike," said one lecturer, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It is possible they are delaying putting people back on payroll so that they get frustrated and leave."
The discontent has been exacerbated by the suspension and dismissal of the leadership of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), leaving lecturers without a unified voice. The suspended leaders have appealed their case at the Labour Court.
Adding to tensions, the UZ administration is actively recruiting new faculty members. "We are seeing papers coming to department boards across the campus for new appointments," reported a dean involved in the process. Many lecturers fear for their job security amid ongoing negotiations over pay and working conditions.
Lecturers earn a basic minimum of US$230 per month and are demanding a review to US$2,250 to restore salaries to pre-2018 levels. The strike, which began on April 16, 2025, disrupted academic activities significantly, leaving both students and staff grappling with the consequences.
Vice-Chancellor Paul Mapfumo has publicly labelled the striking lecturers "retrogressive," further straining relations between faculty and administration. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Students have also voiced frustration over the standoff. "The lecturers are not doing enough; they just load us with assignments," said accounting student Munashe Chichetu. "They should be brave enough to stay away from lecture rooms instead of pretending. It's us students who suffer."
The University of Zimbabwe, once rated among the best in Africa during the 1980s, was historically heavily subsidised by the government with limited donor support. At the time, students also received government grants to support their education.
Source - NewsDay
