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ARTUZ demands public apology from Minister Torerai Moyo
2 hrs ago |
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The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has demanded a public retraction and apology from Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo over remarks the union says were defamatory and damaging to its reputation.
In a formal letter dated October 15, 2025, and signed by ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure, the union accuses Minister Moyo of making “reckless and false" statements during a speech in Gwanda on October 10, alleging that ARTUZ was funded by an opposition political party and had fewer than 100 members.
Masaraure said the comments, made before an estimated audience of 3,000 people, were later shared widely on social media, further harming the union's credibility among teachers and the public.
“Your statements were made with utter recklessness and disregard of the truth," Masaraure wrote. “You are duty-bound to ensure that your public statements are accurate and not unjustly injurious to our organisation."
The union said the remarks misrepresent ARTUZ's non-partisan character and compromise its ability to engage in good faith with policymakers. “You failed to verify the veracity of the allegations, and the same constitutes a deliberate and/or negligent violation of our organisation's rights," Masaraure added.
ARTUZ has given Minister Moyo 72 hours to issue a “sincere, profuse, and unconditional" public apology, both in print and digital media, including publication in one of Zimbabwe's major newspapers.
The union's letter also included a draft retraction statement:
“I do hereby retract unconditionally, the statements I made with regards to the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) wherein I tainted it."
Masaraure warned that failure to comply would leave the union with no choice but to seek legal redress. “We are prepared to pursue judicial remedies to protect our integrity and the rights of our members," he said.
The standoff marks another tense exchange between the government and ARTUZ, which has frequently clashed with authorities over teachers' welfare, working conditions, and political freedoms in Zimbabwe's education sector.
In a formal letter dated October 15, 2025, and signed by ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure, the union accuses Minister Moyo of making “reckless and false" statements during a speech in Gwanda on October 10, alleging that ARTUZ was funded by an opposition political party and had fewer than 100 members.
Masaraure said the comments, made before an estimated audience of 3,000 people, were later shared widely on social media, further harming the union's credibility among teachers and the public.
“Your statements were made with utter recklessness and disregard of the truth," Masaraure wrote. “You are duty-bound to ensure that your public statements are accurate and not unjustly injurious to our organisation."
ARTUZ has given Minister Moyo 72 hours to issue a “sincere, profuse, and unconditional" public apology, both in print and digital media, including publication in one of Zimbabwe's major newspapers.
The union's letter also included a draft retraction statement:
“I do hereby retract unconditionally, the statements I made with regards to the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) wherein I tainted it."
Masaraure warned that failure to comply would leave the union with no choice but to seek legal redress. “We are prepared to pursue judicial remedies to protect our integrity and the rights of our members," he said.
The standoff marks another tense exchange between the government and ARTUZ, which has frequently clashed with authorities over teachers' welfare, working conditions, and political freedoms in Zimbabwe's education sector.
Source - Byo24News
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