The simmering pay dispute at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is on the brink of erupting into a full-blown academic crisis, as the Association of University Teachers (AUT) has vowed to paralyze operations at all 14 state universities within ten days if their demands for fair wages are ignored.
Lecturers are demanding a return to pre-October 2018 salary levels, where junior academics earned US$2,250 monthly, a sharp contrast to the current US$230.
Speaking to a fired-up crowd outside UZ on the first day of industrial action, AUT legal advisor and senior labour law lecturer Munyaradzi Gwisai delivered a fiery ultimatum to Higher Education Minister Fredrick Shava and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.
“Dr Shava, the choice is yours, you and Prof Mthuli Ncube and permanent secretary George Guvamatanga, the one who are looting public funds, must sit down and give UZ lecturers and staff what is their due,” warned Gwisai.
“If you do not, take it from us, this is going to be a struggle that is going to go to the entire fourteen state universities and this is going to happen in the next ten days.”
Gwisai didn’t hold back, accusing senior government officials of looting public funds while university staff wallow in poverty.
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He urged lecturers to down tools entirely, no marking, no lectures, no meetings until their demands are met.
“We must ensure not a single exam paper is marked. No exam board must sit. Total shutdown!” he declared, met by cheers and ululations from the crowd.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe, AUT spokesperson Professor Obvious Vengeyi tore into the UZ administration, branding them “blue-ticking legends” who have ignored over 40 letters from staff since 2018, replying to only two.
He blasted the university leadership for arrogance and opulence amid widespread staff suffering.
“They are buying top-of-the-range cars while professors earn US$230. They live in a different world,” he said, calling for dignity and respect for the profession.
Last week, Vengeyi and several colleagues were arrested for protesting poor wages, spending a night behind bars before being fined US$15.
The High Court has since barred both the police and UZ from interfering with the demonstrations.
The lecturers have pledged to continue protesting indefinitely. As tensions rise, all eyes are now on the government, will they act or risk a total academic blackout?
Protests to continue today at the UZ gates.
