Teachers Union Challenges Mnangagwa To End Violence During Public Hearings On Constitutional Amendment Bill – Eduzim News

Tinashe Sambiri– The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has strongly condemned what it describes as widespread violence, intimidation, and exclusion during the ongoing public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure an immediate end to the unrest.

In a press statement issued on 1 April 2026, ARTUZ announced its “total withdrawal and disengagement” from the hearings, arguing that the process has been compromised by partisan interests.

“The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) strongly condemns the wave of violence, threats, intimidation, and systematic exclusion of dissenting voices that have characterized the ongoing public hearings,” the union said.

The teachers’ body said its initial participation was driven by “moral duty and civic responsibility,” despite concerns over the legitimacy of the process. However, it now believes the hearings have been reduced to “violent platforms that no longer reflect the will of the people.”

ARTUZ described the consultation process as deeply flawed, saying, “What was constitutionally intended to be a democratic platform for citizens to freely express their views has instead degenerated into a theatre of coercion, fear, repression, ruling party rallies, violence, and intimidation.”

The union emphasized the need for a transparent and inclusive process, stating, “We believe in a transparent process where citizens can freely express themselves without fear, coercion, or manipulation.”

Citing recent incidents, ARTUZ pointed to the alleged assault of human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at a public hearing in Harare, where he was attacked and had personal belongings damaged while leaving what the union described as a hostile environment.

According to ARTUZ, similar incidents have been reported across the country, with “social media evidence and eyewitness accounts” indicating a pattern of violence and intimidation against citizens opposing the Bill.

“Citizens opposing the Bill have been silenced through abductions, threats, and denial of the opportunity to speak during public hearings,” the statement read, adding that consultations have been dominated by partisan actors.

The union warned that such developments are not isolated but part of a broader effort “to suppress democratic participation and manufacture false consensus around a deeply controversial constitutional amendment.”

ARTUZ expressed concern for the safety of ordinary citizens, teachers, and workers, saying the current environment is no longer conducive for free expression. “The voices of educators and other stakeholders are being deliberately excluded, and the constitutional consultation process has been compromised and lacks credibility,” the union said.

The organization demanded “the immediate end to all forms of violence, intimidation, and harassment at public hearings,” as well as guarantees for the safety of participants and professionalism from law enforcement authorities.

It also called for “a genuinely open, inclusive, and transparent consultation process where all voices are heard without fear.”

Reaffirming its position, ARTUZ declared its withdrawal from the hearings and urged citizens to do the same. “We urge all citizens to withdraw from this flawed and illegitimate process, and nullify the entire process,” the union said.

The teachers’ union further pushed for a referendum conducted under fair and democratic conditions, encouraging citizens to seek alternative ways to express their views.

“The future of Zimbabwe cannot be built on fear, coercion, and exclusion. A legitimate constitutional process must be people-driven, not force-driven,” the statement added.

ARTUZ concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant and defend democratic values. “It is either we stand with the bill or with the people, ARTUZ chooses to stand with the people. No to intimidation. No to violence. Yes to democracy.”

Related