High Court Judge Orders Negotiation in ZCTU-PTUZ Office Wrangle

High Court Judge Justice Chinembiri Bhunu last week ordered negotiations between a faction of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions led by George Nkiwane, and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe following the eviction last month of the teachers’ union from ZCTU Masvingo offices.

The judge also ruled that since there were two ZCTU factions, a neutral bank account that can only be accessed by a lawful grouping should be opened, adding the PTUZ should stop paying rent to one faction but to deposit it into that account.

The ZCTU Nkiwane faction’s lawyer Alec Muchadehama told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri the PTUZ had not sued the ZTUC but had only cited individuals secretary general Japhet Moyo and one Victor Nkiwane in its court case complaining their eviction was unlawful.

He added that because of this conflict of facts presented to the judge, he ruled that the two parties negotiate before they return to court.

PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the ruling was a victory to the teachers’ union as sanity had prevailed and their office would be fully functional by the end of the week.