Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union in Zimbabwe

21/08/2026

Prayer service in memory of our 97 Compatriots.

19/08/2026

*PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT*

WE THE PEOPLE PRESENT DRAFT DEVOLUTION BILL, 2026

A Call to Put Developmental Power in the Hands of the Communities

19 August 2026

We The People has presented a Draft Devolution and Decentralisation Bill, 2026 as part of an ongoing national conversation on how Zimbabwe can strengthen local governance, deepen citizen participation and ensure that development decisions are made closer to the communities they affect.

The proposed Bill seeks to give practical effect to the constitutional principle of devolution by strengthening the role of Provincial and Metropolitan Councils and Local Authorities while creating mechanisms through which ordinary citizens can directly participate in local development planning and budgeting.

At the centre of the proposed framework are Ward Development Assemblies, which would serve as the foundational tier of local governance. Under the draft bill , the Ward Development Assemblies would meet at least four times a year, with residents entitled to participate and vote. Local development plans, capital projects and annual budgets would be required to originate from priorities identified by communities.

The Bill further proposes a stronger framework for fiscal devolution. It proposes a progressive mechanism through which up to 35% of the national development budget would be devolved directly to Local Authorities over a five-year period, with devolved funds placed in dedicated development accounts. It also proposes that at least 60% of devolved development funds be directed towards projects identified and approved through Ward Development Assemblies.

Under this bill, We The People believes that devolution must go beyond the transfer of responsibilities on paper. Functions, resources, personnel and decision-making powers must move together. The proposed Bill therefore provides for the transfer of relevant state personnel, infrastructure and administrative institutions alongs

17/08/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

ARTUZ DECLARES NATIONAL CITIZENS' DAY OF MOURNING FOR KARIBA VICTIMS
...Our People Deserve More Than Condolences

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) stands in solidarity with the families, children and communities devastated by the Lake Kariba ferry disaster.
The Union extends its deepest condolences to every family that has lost a loved one. We mourn with Kariba and with every community whose life has been permanently changed by this tragedy.

The reported loss of about 84 lives, including children, is not just statistics. These were parents, children, teachers, learners, workers and members of communities whose lives mattered.

But mourning must not mean silence.
This tragedy must force Zimbabwe to confront the condition of public infrastructure and the systems responsible for protecting ordinary citizens. Questions may be asked about the condition and capacity of the vessel, safety regulations, passenger limits, regulatory oversight, emergency preparedness but the overall response to the disaster is our current government under the incapable leadership.

The people of Zimbabwe deserve safe transport. Our communities deserve functional infrastructure and most importantly the people deserve a State that protects them.

The people cannot remain silent when children perish while accessing basic services and opportunities. The responsible authorities should and must account for the impact of this tragedy on affected l families and provide the necessary support.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe is equally concerned by reports surrounding the Government's response to the affected communities. At a time when families are grieving and communities are traumatised, symbolic gestures and limited assistance cannot substitute for meaningful intervention, accountability and long-term solutions. Our people deserve more than condolences. They deserve action.

We further call upon Government to urgently upgrade transport and public infrastructure serving remote communities. No community should be forced to risk its people's lives simply because of inadequate infrastructure.

The response to this disaster must not be measured by official visits or statements. It must be measured by whether meaningful steps are taken to prevent these losses

*NATIONAL CITIZENS' DAY OF MOURNING*

ARTUZ therefore declares Friday, 21 August a National Citizens' Day of Mourning in honour of the victims of the Kariba disaster.

We call upon citizens across Zimbabwe teachers, workers, students, churches, civil society organisations and communities to participate peacefully by:
Lighting candles in remembrance of the departed
Wearing black in solidarity with the bereaved
Carrying peaceful placards demanding accountability and safer public infrastructure
Gather in groups and observe a moment of silence for the victims
Praying

This is a citizens' day of mourning, remembrance and reflection. We call upon everyone to participate peacefully and respectfully while honouring the families who have lost their loved ones.

Kariba must not become another forgotten tragedy. We demand a State that values every life.

Serving Our Nation, Saving Our Profession & Livelihoods.

Issued by:

📞 ARTUZ Information Department
📧 [email protected]

📞 +263777473135 / +263776129336 / +263775643192

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_Serving Our Nation, Saving Our Profession & Livelihoods._

14/08/2026

Weekly roundup!

13/08/2026

School buses should never be mobilised for private political events. The same leaders who have failed to fund education must be ashamed of abusing school property bought by parents.

12/08/2026