By Patience Rashai

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is smarting from a thunderous embarrassment after rural teachers rebuffed its attempt to push for USD salary demonstrations.

The rural teachers’ demo snub comes on the backdrop of a salary upward review by Government which was announced Tuesday by treasury.

The civil service salaries review came after the expiry of a four months Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) pay scheme previously offered by Government to cushion its workforce from the transitory economic challenges.

In a desperate attempt to please its handlers, the association has since taken the demonstration to social media platforms in a bid to resurrect the failed demonstration.

“Are you a teacher? If yes, ARTUZ invites you to, sign our petition demanding USD salaries. Join a street protest in your province on 22 June 2020!” ARTUZ pleaded on twitter.

The rural teachers association further implored teachers to craft placards demanding USD salaries “capture a picture of yourself and share with us. Get unionised, support the fight,” further read the tweet.

The attempt to manufacture a demonstration from teachers by ARTUZ follows the script of a busted plot to use local Civic Society Organisations and labour organisations to foment civil unrest in Zimbabwe by the US Ambassador Brian Nichols.

ARTUZ, along with Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA), along with other civic organisations are reported to be in cahoots with the US to cause unrest in the country.