(Last Updated on January 5, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
MASVINGO – A Masvingo High Court Judge has ordered the release of primary school teacher Sheila Chisirimunhu who was recently convicted and sentenced to 16 months in prison for protesting against teacher’s poor salaries.
Chisirimunhu was released on a ZWL$2 000 bail.
She was charged with participating in a public gathering with the intention to promote public violence.
Chisirimunhu (53) is also the provincial secretary for gender and welfare for Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ).
On Thursday, through her lawyer, Martin Muneri from the Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights (ZLHR) filed a bail application at the Masvingo High Court pending the determination of her appeal against the conviction and sentence.
Teacher’s Unions and human rights defenders across the country joined forces in condemning the arrest.
ARTUZ President Obert Masarure said Chisirimunhu’s crime was to demand the restoration of her salary.
“Sheila was arrested and charged with public violence. No incidence of violence was ever reported during and after the protest. Sheila was ridiculously convicted for public violence.
“Her crime was asking for the restoration of her salary. Sheila was sentenced to 16 months in prison, sentencing was done a couple of days after the commemorations of 16 days of Gender-Based Violence,” said Masaraure.