Obert Masaraure, President of ARTUZ
By Donald Chakamanga
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has threatened to take the Public Service Commission (PSC) to court over housing and rental deductions being made from the salaries of educators staying in Government-provided institutional accommodation.
In a letter dated 25 September 2026 and signed by Obert Masaraure, President of ARTUZ, the union gave the PSC until 2 October 2026 to stop the deductions and address its demands.
ARTUZ said some educators were having between US$150 and US$200 deducted from their salaries as rental charges, while others were being deducted US$40 per month.
The union argued that the deductions were unlawful and unfair because the affected educators were not receiving housing allowances from Government.
ARTUZ demanded the immediate stopping of all housing and rental deductions and the refund of money already deducted from educators. It also called for the restoration of housing allowances and collective bargaining between Government and recognised unions on housing arrangements for civil servants.
The union said failure by the PSC to comply by 2 October would result in its legal representatives approaching the High Court of Zimbabwe and the Labour Court.
ARTUZ said it would seek court orders stopping the deductions and compelling the PSC to refund the amounts already deducted, together with interest and legal costs.
The union cited provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], Public Service Act and Administrative Justice Act [Chapter 10:28] in support of its position.
The PSC is yet to indicate how it will respond to the demands.
