The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has reported that its President, Obert Masaraure, was abducted at midnight by unknown assailants believed to be state security agents.
ARTUZ has been leading a just-ended 3 day nationwide strike over low salaries and high cost of living. This was a legally protected strike and 14 day notice had been given to the State.
“At least six men with masked faces and heavily armed with AK47s abducted him from his Waterfalls home in view of his wife and children. He was taken to an unknown location where he was stripped naked, severely assaulted and interrogated about ARTUZ’s industrial action and told to stop mobilising teachers to go on strike. Masaraure was then dumped naked by his abductors and abandoned. He managed to walk until he found someone who gave him clothes and money to make his way home. He is currently undergoing medical treatment.
“ARTUZ condemns this shocking violation of the rights of our President and the continued assault against our union in response to our legal and peaceful actions to address legitimate labour issues,” ARTUZ said in a statement.