ARTUZ petitions Human Rights Commission over teacher's death

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has lodged a formal complaint with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), accusing the Public Service Commission of Zimbabwe (PSC) of systemic human rights violations which it says contributed to the death of a teacher who turned to artisanal mining to supplement his income.

The complaint follows the death of Progress Makamani, a teacher at Dune Primary School in Buhera District, who was killed on June 9, 2026, when an artisanal mining shaft collapsed while he was reportedly panning for gold.

According to ARTUZ, Makamani had resorted to the hazardous activity because his salary was insufficient to meet his family's basic needs.

The union argues that his death reflects broader economic challenges faced by thousands of public servants whose earnings fall below the cost of living.

ARTUZ's latest Basket of Needs report estimates that a teacher requires at least US$1,200 per month to maintain a basic standard of living, significantly higher than current public sector salaries.

The complaint, filed under Sections 243(1)(f) and 85(1)(d) of the Constitution, alleges that the PSC has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Public Service Act by providing inadequate conditions of service and failing to safeguard the welfare and dignity of public employees.

The union also alleges that the commission is in breach of Section 65(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees workers the right to fair and reasonable remuneration.

"The Respondent (PSC) remains in continuous breach of Section 65(1) of the Constitution by failing to provide fair and reasonable remuneration. Salaries that fall significantly below the Basket of Needs deny workers the ability to live in dignity and undermine their constitutional right to fair labour standards," the petition states.

ARTUZ further argues that Makamani's death demonstrates the risks faced by civil servants who seek alternative sources of income in hazardous environments.

"The tragic death of Mr Progress Makamani demonstrates the fatal consequences of systemic economic deprivation and constitutes a serious infringement of the constitutional right to life," the union said.

Among its requests, ARTUZ has asked the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to conduct a public interest investigation into public sector remuneration and what it describes as "slave wages" paid to civil servants.

The union also wants the commission to examine the relationship between low salaries and the dangerous survival strategies that some public servants are compelled to adopt.

In addition, ARTUZ has called for a review of salary deductions, including those made under the Government Employees Mutual Savings (GEMS) scheme, arguing that they further reduce already inadequate incomes.

The union urged the commission to recommend structural reforms aimed at improving the welfare, dignity, labour rights and socio-economic security of public servants.

"The tragic death of Mr Progress Makamani should not become another forgotten statistic. It should serve as a catalyst for meaningful reforms to ensure that no public servant is ever forced to risk their life merely to survive," ARTUZ said.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission had not publicly responded to the petition at the time of publication.