Staff Reporter

The General Council of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has taken an unprecedented step by suspending the president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), Obert Masaraure, on the grounds of misconduct.

The decision was made during a council meeting held on 22 July 2023 at the Cresta Jameson Hotel in Harare.

According to inside sources, the ZCTU council was initiating an investigation into Masaraure's recent actions that led to this suspension.

 This decision follows a contentious Workers Day Speech delivered by Masaraure in Dzivarasekwa, during which he reportedly criticized the leadership of the ZCTU.

According to the source, the internal tensions have been on the rise between Masaraure and the ZCTU Secretary General, Japhet Moyo.

The source said that Moyo has accused Masaraure of being "big-headed" and attempting to override the decisions of the ZCTU General Council, causing strife within the organisation.

The same source stated, "There has been an on-going feud, and the tensions have escalated recently. Moyo believes Masaraure consistently tries to bypass the council's decisions, disrupting the harmony of the organization."

In response to this suspension, the ZCTU has written to ARTUZ requesting a replacement for Masaraure in the ZCTU General Council.

 The source said that this action underlines the severity of the issue, emphasizing that every member must adhere to the principles of collective decision-making and respect for the union's leadership.

Political commentator, Gaylord Chimanga said that the suspension of such a high-ranking union official was a significant event in the Zimbabwean trade union movement, reflecting on-going internal conflicts and power struggles within the country's labour organizations.

“The outcome of this suspension and the subsequent investigations will undoubtedly have long-term effects on the dynamics within ZCTU and ARTUZ, as well as broader implications for Zimbabwe's labour rights and workers' representation. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the ZCTU is taking a firm stand against alleged misconduct, reinforcing the need for unity and respect within its ranks to uphold the integrity of the organization and its mission to champion workers' rights,” said Chimanga.

Efforts to get a comment from Masaraure were futile as his mobile phones were not reachable.