By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Human rights lobby groups have condemned the harassment of Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leader, Obert Masaraure by ‘state agents’.
In a statement the National Transnational Justice, Citizen Manifesto, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and Platform for concerned citizens said the attacks on Masaraure were a disregard to his role as a trade unionist.
ARTUZ has been up in arms with government demanding better salaries and improved working conditions.
Masaraure has been subjected to abduction, torture and arrests in the past.
“This incident gives the lie to the government’s assertion that the recent report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peace assembly and of association is biased and based on an insufficient analysis. However this recent attack on the Masaraure family, which can only be predicated on disapproval of Mr Masarure’s role as a trade unionist and human rights defender,” read the statement.
This comes after ARTUZ claimed that a gang of armed men raided Masarure’ s uncles home in Kuwadzana demanding information on his whereabouts.
“We are highly saddened by this vulturous act by the alleged state security agents who tried to kill Masarure’s vision of a Zimbabwe where labour justice and inclusive access to education is realised.
“We have long urged the government of Zimbabwe to investigate these abductions and harassment of our union leader and his family, but nothing tangible has been done. It is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens but the state turned to be a predator to young visionary union leaders,” the trade union said.
