High Court Judge Justice Benjamin Chikowore yesterday granted University of Zimbabwe Associations of University Teachers (AUT) the right to go on strike as provided under the constitution.
In a landmark ruling, Justice Chikowore agreed that AUT members and supporters can sing, dance, wave placards, conduct prayers and have solidarity speeches.
The judge consented to safeguards proffered by both AUT and the police to ensure peaceful demonstrations.
These include the AUT appointing two liaison persons for engagement and consultation with the police as well as having marshals to monitor the protest.
It was also agreed that the picket would be confined to UZ’s Churchill Avenue main entrance and Mount Pleasant main entrance.
The ruling followed an urgent High Court application by AUT seeking an interdict barring the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba, UZ, ministers Ziyambi Ziyambi (Home Affairs) and Fredrich Shava (Higher and Tertiary Education) from disrupting and interfering with their protest.
The AUT was represented by its lawyers, Matika, Gwisai Legal Practitioners.
AUT lawyer and legal advisor, Munyaradzi Gwisai, said the landmark ruling will go beyond “the corridors of the UZ”.
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“A landmark decision by the High Court handed down protects advances and realises the right to strike as provided by the constitution of Zimbabwe,” Gwisai said.
“The right that AUT has won today is a right that will apply well beyond the corridors of University of Zimbabwe, but in the entire spectrum of labour relations and trade unions in this country.”
Last week, UZ lecturers went on strike and picketed outside the campus, but the police moved swiftly and disrupted the demonstrations before arresting AUT leaders.
The arrested AUT leaders Boncase Mwakorera, Obvious Vengeyi and Desmond Ndedzu have since been released after paying fines of US$15 each for “disorderly conduct”.
However, their lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights are preparing to challenge the convictions citing that they were made under duress.
