The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has instructed its staff to disregard the collective job action called for by the Association of University Teachers (AUT).
In a memo dated March 22, 2025, signed by UZ registrar Munyaradzi Madambi, it was stated that any collective job action in response to AUT’s call would be considered unlawful, as the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Edgar Moyo, had issued a Show Cause Order for the university. Said Madambi:
<blockquote>
The University of Zimbabwe remains committed to engaging all its staff for improved welfare and conditions of service in line with government policy and its new transformational thrust as inspired by our Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy.
</blockquote>
A “Show Cause Order” is a legal document that requires a party to explain or justify why a particular action should not be taken or why a specific order should not be enforced.
On Friday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo issued a Show Cause Order after University of Zimbabwe (UZ) authorities failed to meet lecturers’ salary demands.
AUT Secretary-General Borncase Mwakorera described the move as a “temporary setback” and said the association’s members would meet soon to discuss the next steps.
Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe, represented by AUT, are calling for their salaries to be reinstated to pre-October 2018 levels.
They argue that in October 2018, their salaries were significantly reduced from US$2,250 per month for a junior lecturer to under US$300, plus a small local currency component worth less than US$200 when converted.
This reduction, an 87% cut, has left many lecturers struggling to meet basic needs such as housing, food, transportation, and even their children’s education.
AUT claims to have sent over 27 letters to the university since 2018 requesting salary adjustments but has received only one response.
The lecturers also allege that the university has not fulfilled certain contractual obligations, including paying for funeral policies and health insurance.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200039936/ignore-strike-uz-tells-disgruntled-staff">NewsDay</a>

Pindula News

The University of Zimbabwe is telling its lecturers to not go on strike even though their union, the Association of University Teachers, called for one. The government has warned the university that a strike would be illegal. The lecturers want their salaries restored to pre-2018 levels because they have been cut by 87%. The union has been trying to negotiate with the university for a while now, but they have not received a proper response. The lecturers are struggling to meet their basic needs and want the university to fulfill their contractual obligations.

University Of Zimbabwe Instructs Lecturers To Ignore AUT's Call For A Strike

Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo stepped in on Friday to prevent a planned strike by University of Zimbabwe lecturers. The lecturers had planned to go on strike starting Monday to demand higher salaries.
The university had not met the lecturers’ salary demands, leading to a Show Cause Order, which is a formal request to explain why they hadn’t met the demands. Moyo approved this order.
Borncase Mwakorera, the secretary-general of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), called Moyo’s intervention a “temporary setback”. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s just a temporary setback but will be meeting our members on Monday for the way forward. Who knows, they may resolve to go ahead with the strike.
</blockquote>
Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe, who fall under AUT, are demanding that their salaries be raised to the pre-October 2018 level.
AUT said that in October 2018, lecturers’ salaries were drastically reduced from US$2,250 per month for a junior lecturer to less than US$300 per month, plus a small local currency component that translates to less than US$200 when converted.
This cut represents an 87% reduction in their salaries, leaving lecturers struggling to cover basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation. Many say they can’t afford to pay for their children’s education at UZ or even basic daily expenses.
The AUT claims they have sent over 27 letters to the university authorities since 2018, asking for salary improvements, but have received only one response.
The lecturers also say that the university has not fulfilled its contractual obligations, such as paying for funeral policies and health insurance.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200039866/minister-intervenes-in-uz-lecturers-dispute">NewsDay</a>

University of Zimbabwe lecturers were planning a strike for higher salaries, but Minister Edgar Moyo stopped it. The lecturers wanted their salaries back to what they were before October 2018. Their pay was cut drastically, making it hard for them to cover basic needs. They have been asking for better pay since 2018, but only received one response from the university. The lecturers are also upset because the university has not fulfilled its promises about funeral policies and health insurance. The lecturers will decide what to do next on Monday.

Minister’s Intervention Averts University Of Zimbabwe Lecturers' Strike

Lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have announced an indefinite strike starting Monday, March 24, 2025, in protest over unresolved salary issues with the university administration.
The strike, organised by the Association of University Teachers (AUT), will continue until the lecturers’ demands for the restoration of pre-2018 salary scales are met.
AUT says that in October 2018, lecturers’ salaries were drastically reduced from US$2,250 per month for a junior lecturer to less than US$300 per month, plus a small local currency component that translates to less than US$200 when converted.
This cut represents an 87% reduction in their salaries, leaving lecturers struggling to cover basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation. Many say they can’t afford to pay for their children’s education at UZ or even basic daily expenses.
The AUT claims they have sent over 27 letters to the university authorities since 2018, asking for salary improvements, but have received only one response. Part of the statement reads:
<blockquote>
Even as we struggled to do the bare minimum, the university management shamelessly awarded themselves lavish packages which include expensive cars for the Executive and hefty payouts in the order of thousands of united states dollars. The university has also prioritised non-essential projects in lieu of staff welfare.
</blockquote>
The lecturers also say that the university has not fulfilled its contractual obligations, such as paying for funeral policies and health insurance.
According to a statement from the AUT on March 18, the strike follows legal procedures, with their “notice to strike” expiring on Friday, March 21, 2025.
The statement calls for members to gather at 9 AM on Monday in Lecture Theatre 3 to begin the strike. Protestors are encouraged to bring placards and peacefully express their discontent.
More: <a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2025/03/21/university-of-zimbabwe-lecturers-launch-indefinite-strike-over-salary-dispute/">Nehanda Radio</a>

University of Zimbabwe lecturers are not happy because the university cut their salaries by 87%. They used to earn a lot of money, but now they only get a little bit. This makes it hard for them to pay for things like their house and food. They have been asking for their salaries to be raised since 2018, but the university has not listened. So now, they are going on strike to protest this. They will not work until the university agrees to pay them more. The lecturers will gather on Monday to start their strike.

University Of Zimbabwe Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike Over 87% Salary Cuts

Adjunct lecturers in the Law Faculty at Zimbabwe’s most prestigious university, the University of Zimbabwe, are earning US$2.50 per hour.
This was revealed in a memorandum dated March 13, 2024, on the “Remuneration of Adjunct Lecturers” that was addressed to the Deans of Faculties and Chairpersons of Departments by one Thulani Sheila Makamure. Part of the memo reads:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that the Vice Chancellor approved a blended remuneration of Adjunct Lecturers with effects from 9 March 2024.
Adjunct Lecturers (formerly Part-Time Lecturers) will now be paid their salary claims in both local currency and in United States dollars on a 50/50 basis.
The United States dollar component will be calculated at two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per hour while the Zimbabwean dollar component remains the same.
This means that half their claims will be paid in Zimbabwean dollars and the other half in United States dollars up to a maximum of sixty (60) hours a month. Claim forms for Adjunct Lecturers must henceforth be denominated in both currencies as explained above.
Deans and Chairpersons of Departments should ensure that Adjunct Lecturers receive the necessary support to open Nostro accounts with their banks.
</blockquote>
Commenting on the development, respected lawyer Fadzayi Mahere, who is also a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mt Pleasant (CCC) said the low remuneration for lecturers may negatively affect the quality of teaching at the university. She wrote on X:
<blockquote>
How can a university lecturer, even a part-time one, be paid US$2.50 an hour? Is this not an insult?
How do you expect to attract competent academic staff on such a slave wage? What impact will this have on the quality of teaching at the university?
Imagine teaching at the country’s biggest university and your hourly rate can’t even buy you a coffee? This nation is broken.
Do you expect any teaching to take place on such a slave wage? At which point will Govt feel embarrassment at its irrational, broken policies?
Do you send your children to these universities or are the poor just left to deal with whatever insulting crumbs you throw at them?
</blockquote>
However, self-exiled former ZANU PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo said the letter had been misinterpreted.
Moyo argued that the letter is not about the “earnings” of UZ lecturers who are full-time or permanent or tenured members of the teaching staff; but about part-time teaching staff, whom UZ now calls “Adjunct Lecturers”.
He said it is also not true that the letter says part-time lecturers at UZ “will now be earning US$2.50 per hour. Added Moyo:
<blockquote>
… rather the letter clearly says, “Adjunct Lecturers (formerly Part-Time Lecturers) will now be paid their salary claims in both local currency and in United States dollars on a 50/50 basis”.
In other words, the letter says half of the earnings of part-time lecturers at UZ will be paid in local currency, and half in foreign currency.
In this connection, the letter says foreign currency has been pegged at “two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per hour while the Zimbabwean dollar component remains the same”.
Because they are teaching on a part-time basis, the part time lecturers are authorised to work for a maximum of 60 hours per months, which translates to an average of 15 hours per week. They cannot do more hours, like full-timers.
This stands to reason because, by definition, part-time lecturers work or have commitments at other workplaces where they may, in fact, be working full-time and making more money there.
</blockquote>
Moyo further argued that teaching time is done for a range of reasons; which include but are not limited to supplementing one’s income, keeping abreast with developments in one’s professional field or building one’s professional curriculum vitae, among others.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

University Of Zimbabwe Lecturers Earn US$2.50 Per Hour

Some students at Lupane State University (LSU) are reportedly missing classes due to an acute shortage of lecturers.
Both conventional and block students commenced their new semester on Monday.
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/lsu-grapples-with-staffing-crisis-leaving-students-in-limbo/">CITE</a> reported a source as saying first-year students in Lupane are not attending lectures, with most of the lecturers teaching block classes in Bulawayo.
Some lecturers informed students about a directive from authorities limiting them to teaching only three classes. Said a lecturer:
<blockquote>
Unfortunately, I have some sad news to share with the group. I am no longer your lecturer due to a directive from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) stating that we can only teach a maximum of three classes.
For example, if we consider the Waste Management module, which consists of block and conventional classes, along with a parallel class, these are now considered three separate classes.
In my case, I have already exceeded the three-class limit, having taught Waste Management (block class), a 2:2 class, and a Natural Resources class.
The class representative should approach the chairperson to inform them about the lack of lecturers.
While we can be compelled to come under the chairperson’s directive, the current situation raises concerns about your ability to prepare for exams in March without proper instruction.
Previously, I taught four modules, which translates to eight classes considering both block and conventional formats. With the two block classes, this effectively means four classes.
Since we are only allowed three, one class will be left without a lecturer. This is a significant issue with no clear solution at present.
I am currently in Bulawayo and will only come to Lupane for project-related matters.
As for your lecturers, I’m unsure what to do as the directive strictly emphasizes a three-class teaching limit.
</blockquote>
Contacted for comment by CITE, the University’s Director of Communications, Densen Kulube, could not immediately confirm the directive regarding the three-class teaching limit.
Kulube, however, said, “Every registered student at the university has access to lecturers.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lupane State University Grapples With Shortage Of Lecturers

Students at Madziwa Teachers College in Shamva have written a petition to authorities alleging that their lecturers are abusing the institution’s resources.
The students also alleged that their lecturers are in the habit of asking for money in exchange for good marks. The petition reads in part:
<blockquote>
The college has seen a rise in new “business operations” instead of premises for co-conducting lectures.
Buying and selling by lecturing staff at the premises (lecture rooms area) where lectures are supposed to be conducted is becoming the order of the day.
Students are left with no choice other than to capitulate and get their assignments printed by lecturers for a fee due to fear of reprisals and the threat of being made to fail examinations.
</blockquote>
The students further alleged that some lecturers were openly approaching them to do their assignments on their behalf for a fee.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200013934/student-teachers-revolt-against-lecturers">NewsDay</a> reported that Madziwa Teachers College principal Edward Phiri on Thursday did not reply to questions sent to him.
The country’s economic challenges, characterised by three-digit inflation, has eroded the earnings of lecturers at universities and colleges.
Last month, lecturers at the <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/University_of_Zimbabwe">University of Zimbabwe</a> (UZ) declared incapacitation and are demanding United States dollar salaries.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents the interests of academic staff at universities, wrote a letter addressed to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare.
AUT said UZ lecturers no longer afford to come to work, feed their families and meet other normal expenses such as school fees, medical bills and rent.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Students At Madziwa Teachers College Protest Against Lecturers

Lecturers at the <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/University_of_Zimbabwe">University of Zimbabwe</a> (UZ) have declared incapacitation and are demanding United States dollar salaries.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents the interests of academic staff at universities, has since written a letter addressed to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare.
AUT said UZ lecturers no longer afford to come to work, feed their families and meet other normal expenses such as school fees, medical bills and rent. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
To illustrate the situation, as of October 2018, a junior lecturer’s monthly salary was US$2 258, (“pre-October 2018 salary scales”)…
By September 2022, the situation had reached unconscionable levels of a salary worth less than US$200 for a junior lecturer.
Such a salary was lower than the lowest-paid general worker in the private sector.
By the commencement of 2023, the situation had sharply deteriorated. The deductions for normal services like medical aid, pension, funeral policies and motor vehicle insurance were now more than the salary.
In fact, staff was now earning what the university termed ‘negative salaries’. Deductions deducted were more than the salary.
</blockquote>
AUT also revealed that efforts to engage Higher and Tertiary Education Minister <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Amon_Murwira">Amon Murwira</a> over their plight have been unsuccessful. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
The minister was not sympathetic and disclaimed responsibility for the welfare of employees of State universities.
He categorically stated that the responsible authorities and employers were the university councils and not the government.
He stated that the government only provided a grant to assist the universities, which were expected to come up with their own other independent means of self-funding.
</blockquote>
The majority of workers in the private and public sectors are pushing for their salaries to be paid in foreign currency amid a sharp depreciation in the value of the Zimbabwe dollar.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

University Of Zimbabwe Lecturers Declare Incapacitation

Three engineering lecturers from Zimbabwe and Rwanda whose contracts were terminated by a college in South Africa withdrew their case against the college in the court on Tuesday, 14 March.
The lecturers, whose contracts were terminated in January by the Port Elizabeth TVET College, withdrew their case today after the College agreed in the Port Elizabeth Labour Court that it will not retrench them.
<a href="https://www.groundup.org.za/article/dismissed-immigrant-lecturers-win-their-labour-court-battle/">GroundUp</a> reported that the fourth lecturer who was also dismissed, who is Zimbabwean, has not been appearing in court because he has another case pending with the college.
The four have been lecturing in engineering for several years.
On 12 January 2023, the college management wrote letters to the lecturers informing them that their services would be terminated on 1 February.
They approached the Labour Court which granted a provisional interdict in February setting aside the termination of their employment.
Lawyers representing Port Elizabeth TVET College then asked the lecturers to withdraw their case, but they refused.
Sangolinye Ngqungwana, a lecturer at the same college and shop steward for the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW), said the college had now sent the court an affidavit. Said Ngqungwana:
<blockquote>
That changes the ball game completely. With the affidavit we have proof of them confirming under oath that they are not going to retrench. For that reason, we decided to withdraw the case.
</blockquote>
Deputy Principal Dorian Baartzes said the affidavit was to notify the court that the college was not opposing the case brought by the lecturers and had complied with the interdict.
Baartzes said they will comply with the Labour Regulations Act if it embarked on any retrenchment process.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

SA: Dismissed Zimbabwean Lecturers Withdraw Labour Court Case

Scores of lecturers from Zimbabwe’s State-owned universities are set to undergo ZANU PF ideological orientation at the party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology under the banner Academics for Economic Development.
The Higher and Tertiary Education ministry has sent invitations to universities across the country for the workshop which will be held this week.
According to a letter written to universities seen by <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/university-lecturers-to-attend-zanu-pfs-ideology-classes/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, each university will send 20 lecturers to the workshop.
Universities are expected to pay for their members who will attend the orientation slated for 23 and 24 January at Midlands State University (MSU).
The total cost of meals and accommodation will be US$65 000 if the targeted number attends. Reads the letter:
<blockquote>
The Chitepo School of Ideology will be having a workshop for University and College Lecturers at the Midlands State University’s Main Campus from 23-24 January 2023.
The School has prepared a Basic Orientation Course which is designed to offer ideological orientation to all sectors of the Zimbabwean society, “living no one and no place behind” as directed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa.
It is against this background, that the Ministry is cordially inviting a maximum of twenty (20) members of staff from each institution to attend this very important workshop.
… Midlands State University shall provide accommodation and meals (see attached breakdown of costs), for the duration of the stay.
Institutions are therefore required to make payments for their members directly to the hosting institution.
</blockquote>

University Lecturers To Undergo ZANU PF Ideological Orientation

Lecturers at Lupane State University (LSU) have gone on strike after the institution refused to raise their salaries.
The development was confirmed by the University’s director of marketing and communication, Zwelithini Dlamini.
A memorandum addressed to Acting Registrar Dr Cecilia Makoni by LSU Academic Staff Association Secretary-General, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda reads:
<blockquote>Association members have refused to take up block, parallel and extra load classes at the current rates offered by the University.
The Lupane State University Academic Staff Association members will only take up these classes once the rates have been reviewed upwards.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Dr Makoni told the striking academic staff that it was not possible to raise their salaries. She wrote:
<blockquote>In a discussion with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, it was observed that the University’s attempt to increase tuition fees was turned down by the parent Ministry.
Part-time claims are fully funded by tuition fees. As a result any review shall not be possible without a review of tuition fees.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/lupane-lecturers-go-on-strike/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

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