The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) notes with grave concern the signing of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) into law.
This marks a regrettable moment in Zimbabwe’s constitutional history and represents another step away from constitutional democracy, accountable governance, and the democratic consolidation of Africa as well as the founding principles of the 2013 Constitution.
Zimbabwe’s liberation was fought to secure freedom, dignity, justice, and the right of citizens to determine their own future. Those genuine collective struggles cannot be fulfilled by weakening constitutional safeguards or concentrating political power. The legitimacy of any government must continually be renewed through democratic consent, constitutionalism, and respect for the will of the people.
The process that culminated in the enactment of CAB3 failed to inspire public confidence. The so-called public hearings were defined by violence, intimidation, the exclusion of dissenting voices, the bussing of participants to predetermined venues, and the suppression of meaningful public participation. Instead of facilitating a genuine national dialogue, the process became an exercise in manufacturing consent.
Constitutional reform must always be a people-driven activity. A Constitution belongs to the people, not to those who temporarily occupy public office. Any amendment to the supreme law of the land should strengthen democratic accountability, protect constitutional rights, and deepen public confidence in national institutions.Teachers, civil servants and the general populace have every reason to be concerned.
Constitutional governance provides the framework within which labour rights, collective bargaining, judicial independence, and accountable public institutions are protected. When constitutional safeguards are weakened, workers become increasingly vulnerable to arbitrary decisions, shrinking democratic space, and the erosion of rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Zimbabwe’s teachers continue to endure poverty wages, deteriorating working conditions, collapsing public schools, and the continued denial of meaningful collective bargaining. Instead of addressing these urgent national challenges, national attention has been diverted towards constitutional changes that have nothing to do with the improvement ot the welfare of teachers, civil servants, learners, and an ordinary Zimbabweans.
The enactment of CAB3 will not reduce classroom shortages. It will not improve teachers’ salaries. It will not restore collective bargaining. It will not equip schools, create jobs, end political toxicity, it will not bring better health facilities where people will no longer need to negotiate with death due to lack of medicines or lower the cost of living. Zimbabwe’s crisis demands policies that place citizens’ welfare, quality public services, and accountable governance at the centre of national priorities.
As ARTUZ, we remain convinced that the struggle for quality public education cannot be separated from the struggle for constitutionalism, democratic governance, and respect for the rule of law. A nation cannot build an education system that empowers future generations while weakening the institutions designed to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
As ARTUZ, we therefore reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending constitutional democracy, labour rights, and quality public education. We are organising, educating, mobilising, and we will lawfully resist this bill and action that undermines the Constitution, workers’ rights, and the future of Zimbabwe’s children.We call upon teachers, public servants, workers, students, and all patriotic citizens to unite in the defence of our Constitution and our democracy.
The struggle for decent work, quality education, constitutionalism, and social justice is far from being over. Together, through collective action, solidarity, and democratic participation, we remain determined to work towards the restoration of constitutional governance and the reversal of measures that undermine the will and aspirations of the people.
Issued by:
ARTUZ Information Department📧 ruraltrsunion@gmail.com📞 +263777473135 / 776129336 / 775643192Follow us: @ARTUZ_teachers