Teacher Fired Over Classroom Protest as Wage Disputes Escalate
A secondary school teacher in Matabeleland North, Bridget Dliwayo, has been dismissed after sharing a classroom selfie holding a placard protesting low wages. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education found her guilty of misconduct under the Public Service Regulations following her participation in an online protest organised by ARTUZ.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Tsholotsho - A secondary school teacher in Matabeleland North has been dismissed after sharing a classroom selfie in which she held a placard protesting low wages, according to Pindula News.
Bridget Dliwayo, who was based at Zibungululu Secondary School in Tsholotsho District, lost her job following a disciplinary hearing conducted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The case stemmed from her involvement in an online protest organised by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).
According to a letter dated 10 April 2026, issued by the province’s Chief Director of Education Services, one J.A. Mpofu, Dliwayo was found guilty of misconduct under the Public Service Regulations of 2000.
The charge relates to a photograph taken on 13 May 2025 at around 1 p.m. inside a classroom.
In the image, Dliwayo is seen holding a placard reading: “We demand a fair wage. We say no more to slave wages. Sifuna imali now @ ARTUZ.”
She shared the image in an ARTUZ WhatsApp group, captioning it: “Enough is enough guys. Look at the condition of the classrooms.”
Authorities also accused her of failing to carry out teaching duties between 13 and 20 May 2025, stating that she did not conduct lessons in line with the term two timetable.
Mpofu noted that this was not her first disciplinary offence, saying she had previously received multiple warnings but continued to breach regulations.
“You have proved to be unrepentant as you have continued to commit offences despite having been given several stern warnings of a stiffer penalty,” the letter reads.
In terms of Section 46 of the regulations, Dliwayo has been dismissed from service, with the termination taking effect after duty on 14 May 2026.
Authorities have informed her that she has the option to appeal to the Labour Court or seek a review by the Public Service Commission within 21 days. However, the dismissal will remain in force during any such processes.
ARTUZ has been leading calls for improved salaries and working conditions for teachers in Zimbabwe, frequently using social media platforms to spotlight poor infrastructure and wage concerns.
The union has consistently pushed for salaries to be paid in United States dollars, arguing that the current structure, in ZiG and USD portion, is inadequate to meet the cost of living.
