by Gift Mashoko and Rudo Saungweme

The much publicised Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) demonstration has flopped as some teachers unions who were expected to attend failed to turn up.

Speaking to Harare Post today, Human Rights Activist, Dirk Frey said he was expecting teachers to attend in numbers.

“We were expecting a big number of teachers unions to attend the demonstration but they gave apologies indicating that they will support the cause whilst at work. We support every institution that organise demonstrations and use this space,” said Frey.

One Government official working in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education speaking on condition of anonymity said the demonstration was politically motivated.

“This seems to be politically driven, as you can see. The characters present here do not look like teachers. I was in touch with some of teachers across the country and it appears all teachers are reporting for duty tomorrow,” said the Government official.

Harare Post has learnt that the absence of other teachers unions shows that most teachers value their work and appreciate Government’s efforts of rebuilding the economy as it heads to accomplish vision 2030.

The presence of Human Rights Activist Dirk Frey and a Political Activist and Human Rights Lawyer, Douglas Coltart has been castigated by many saying that the demonstration had a hand of Government detractors since they are known for opposing everything done by the Government.

Other teachers unions could not attend because they feared that the demonstration was politically motivated to derail economic activity in the country.