ARTUZ mourns state‑triggered death of Masvingo teacher

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) says it is deeply shocked and heartbroken by the sudden death of Madam Mandizvidza, a teacher at Chikato Government School in Masvingo Province, describing her passing as a tragic consequence of the State’s failure to adequately remunerate educators.


In a statement, ARTUZ said it had received reports that the late teacher had been in severe distress over the continued erosion of salaries and the non‑payment of ZIMSEC allowances.

“Before her death, she was reportedly in tears over the financial hardships she was facing. She tragically collapsed and passed away,” the union said.

ARTUZ said the incident was not isolated but reflected a wider crisis in the education sector.

“This is the painful consequence of a broken remuneration system that has pushed educators into extreme psychological and economic distress. When teachers are overworked, underpaid and denied their rightful allowances, the State becomes complicit in the suffering that follows,” the union said.

“We mourn not only a dedicated teacher, but a victim of systemic neglect. No educator should die worrying about unpaid salaries and allowances. No teacher should be reduced to tears because of government indifference.”

ARTUZ extended condolences to the teacher’s family, colleagues, learners and the wider Masvingo community.

“We stand in solidarity with all teachers who continue to endure exploitation and humiliation in the line of duty,” the union said.

ARTUZ called on Government to urgently address teachers’ remuneration, clear all outstanding ZIMSEC payments and restore dignity to the teaching profession.