Harare Correspondent
A prolonged strike by university lecturers has paralyzed academic activities across Zimbabwe, with educators demanding the restoration of their salaries to pre-2018 levels.
The industrial action, now entering its fourth week, threatens to disrupt upcoming examinations as lecture halls remain empty.
Salary Dispute at Heart of Crisis
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) is demanding the reinstatement of monthly salaries to US$2,500, last paid before October 2018.
Currently, lecturers receive approximately US$230 in hard currency, plus a Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) component valued below US$200 at current exchange rates.
“The government must address this disparity urgently,” said AUT spokesperson Dr. Tendai Moyo.
“Our members can no longer survive on these starvation wages while inflation erodes their purchasing power daily.”
Students Face Exam Uncertainty
With end-of-semester examinations looming, the strike has left thousands of students in academic limbo.
“I’m supposed to write my final exams next month, but we haven’t had lectures since April,” said University of Zimbabwe final-year student Rumbidzai Chikomo.
“We understand the lecturers’ plight, but we’re paying the price too.”
Veteran Educator Highlights Systemic Issues
Munyaradzi Gwisai, a 30-year veteran lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, framed the dispute as symptomatic of broader inequalities:
“While we’ve stayed committed to building this nation’s education system, the children of elites study abroad using foreign currency that could revitalize our universities,” Gwisai told our Harare Correspondent.
“It’s heartbreaking to watch young talent leave because they can’t survive on these wages.”
The academic noted that over 40% of junior staff have resigned in the past two years, primarily for better opportunities abroad.
Government Response Awaited
Higher Education Minister Professor Amon Murwira acknowledged the crisis but offered no immediate solution:
“We’re engaged in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to find a sustainable resolution,” Murwira said in a brief statement.
As the standoff continues, students and parents grow increasingly anxious about the academic calendar, with many fearing prolonged disruptions could jeopardize the entire semester.
Zim GBC News