By Fanuel Chinowaita
THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has given the Public Service Commission (PSC) a 14-day ultimatum to stop housing and rental deductions imposed on teachers living in government-provided accommodation, threatening court action if the deductions are not reversed.
In a strongly worded letter dated September 25, 2026, ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure accused the PSC of unilaterally deducting between US$150 and US$200 from some teachers’ salaries as rental charges, while other educators were reportedly being charged US$40 per month.
The union said the deductions were being made despite the affected teachers receiving no housing allowance from government.
“We write to you on behalf of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and the thousands of rural and urban educators we represent. This correspondence serves as a formal Cease and Desist Ultimatum regarding the immediate and unconditional cessation of the unlawful, unilateral, and economically crippling housing and rental deductions currently being levied against teachers residing in employer-provided institutional accommodation,” Masaraure said.
ARTUZ said it had payslip evidence supporting its claims and argued that the deductions amounted to an unlawful reduction of teachers’ remuneration.
“It has been brought to our attention, backed by irrefutable payslip evidence, that the Public Service Commission is unilaterally docking between USD150 and USD200 from educators’ salaries as ‘rental deductions’,” Masaraure said.
“Concurrently, there are instances where some educators are being subjected to a USD40 monthly deduction.”
The union argued that the deductions were unjustifiable because teachers were not receiving a corresponding housing allowance.
“Let it be stated unequivocally that whether the deduction is USD200 or USD40, these levies are fundamentally unjust, logically absurd, and legally null and void,” Masaraure said.
“The Government currently pays these educators exactly USD0.00 in housing allowances.”
ARTUZ further argued that the deductions violated provisions of the Constitution, Labour Act, Public Service Act and Administrative Justice Act, among other legal principles.
The union specifically cited Section 65(1) of the Constitution, which provides for fair labour practices and a fair and reasonable wage, and Section 65(5) on collective bargaining.
ARTUZ also invoked Section 12A of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], arguing that the deductions fall outside permissible deductions and that some of the charges could breach the statutory limit on aggregate deductions.
The union said the PSC had no right to impose the charges without consultation or collective bargaining with recognised unions.
ARTUZ further accused the State of unjust enrichment, arguing that government was recovering money from teachers through rental charges while providing no housing allowance.
The union has given the PSC until October 2, 2026 to comply with its demands.
ARTUZ is demanding the immediate termination of all housing and rental deductions for educators living in employer-provided accommodation, regardless of whether the charge is US$40 or US$200.
It is also demanding the full repayment of all rental deductions it considers unlawful and a collective bargaining process to establish fair housing allowances for civil servants before institutional accommodation charges are reconsidered.
Masaraure warned that failure to comply would trigger legal action.
“Should the Public Service Commission fail to comply with these demands by 2 October 2026, ARTUZ will instruct its legal counsel to urgently approach the High Court of Zimbabwe and the Labour Court,” he said.
The union said it would seek declaratory orders, interdicts stopping the deductions and orders compelling refunds, including interest and legal costs.
The letter was copied to the ministers responsible for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Primary and Secondary Education; and Finance and Economic Development.
The PSC had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication.