Teachers’ union rejects ZANU PF resolution on civil service recruitment

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned a resolution adopted at ZANU PF’s 23rd National People’s Conference proposing that the ruling party recommend candidates for government jobs.

The conference, which ended on Saturday in Chinhoyi, resolved that all candidates seeking government employment should be seconded by ZANU PF.

In a statement, ARTUZ said the proposal undermines the constitutional separation between the State and the party and threatens a politically neutral civil service.

“We reject the reported proposal to give the party exclusive authority to recommend candidates for government employment. These positions are threatening the distinction between a political party and the State,” the union said.

“Their implications extend beyond recruitment: they concern who exercises public power, whose interests Government serves, and whether citizens can hold public institutions accountable.”

ARTUZ said the proposal is inconsistent with constitutional provisions. It cited Section 2, which provides for constitutional supremacy, Section 3, which recognises multiparty democracy and the rule of law, Sections 194 and 200, which require merit, fairness, impartial administration and a politically neutral public service, and Section 203, which assigns public service appointment functions to the Public Service Commission.

The resolution comes amid calls from some ZANU PF figures for government employees to be enrolled at the party’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

ARTUZ warned that fusing party and state authority could expose public servants to political pressure and undermine their ability to raise workplace grievances.

“Where Government and party authority are fused, an ordinary workplace grievance can be recast as opposition to the ruling party. Collective bargaining risks being displaced by demands for political obedience,” the statement said.

“Workers may be pressured to attend party activities or demonstrate loyalty to protect their careers.

“ARTUZ rejects any system in which a teacher’s professional future depends on party endorsement. Qualifications, competence and fair procedures must determine recruitment and advancement.

“The classroom must remain a place of learning, and school leadership must remain accountable for educational standards and learner welfare.”