The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has blamed Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube’s economic policies for the death of a female school head who allegedly committed suicide.
ARTUZ said one Mrs. Muzenda, the Deputy school head at Sarahuru Primary School in Mwenezi took her own life due to “slave wages”. The teachers’ union said:
[Mthuli Ncube] policies have killed Mrs. Mzenda the D/Head at Sarahuru Primary Mwenezi. She committed suicide. Slave wages are the new guillotine claiming our Teachers.
The government of [President Emmerson Mnangagwa is presiding over the killing of civil servants and untold suffering for those who live on!
In February 2022, teachers embarked on a week-long strike, demanding the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries when they earned US$540.
The Government responded by awarding civil servants a token salary increment and suspended scores of teachers for taking part in the job action.
Currently, teachers, like other civil servants, are earning US$250 in allowances per month while their RTGS salary is less than US$50.
Meanwhile, the Gwindingwi Secondary School headmaster Stanford Tsindikwa was recently found dead near Rusape Dam in a case of suspected suicide.
Tsindikwa was reported missing after he allegedly made several calls and sent text messages to his wife informing her about his intention to take his own life.
Below are some suicide warning signs suicidal thoughts by Mayo Clinic:
Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born”
Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills
Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly
Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there’s no other logical explanation for doing this
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again
Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above.
Source Pindula News
