The Africa Coalition for Academic Freedom (ACAF), together with 23 academic staff associations across Africa, has formally written to the Honourable Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Development of Zimbabwe to express grave concerns about reported violations of academic freedom and trade union rights at the University of Zimbabwe.
Our monitoring and engagement with sources within Zimbabwe indicate a troubling pattern of actions affecting members of the Association of University Teachers (AUT). These include:
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Surveillance of lectures, seminars, and academic gatherings by security personnel and intelligence officials
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Denial of venues for union meetings and reported arrests of union leaders
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Dismissal of union representatives on questionable grounds
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Non-renewal of contracts of academics who participated in strike action
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Denial of leave to academics perceived to be critical of university administration or government
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Reports of intimidation and coercion in academic duties
These actions, if left unaddressed, undermine core principles protected under international and regional human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). They also contradict key African frameworks such as the Kampala Declaration on Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility.
Academic freedom, university autonomy, and the right to organize are fundamental pillars of democratic societies and thriving higher education systems. Academics must be able to teach, research, publish, and associate freely without fear of harassment, intimidation, dismissal, or surveillance.
ACAF has respectfully called on the Government of Zimbabwe to:
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Engage in constructive dialogue with AUT
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Reverse all decisions that violate academic and trade union rights
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Uphold Zimbabwe’s obligations under national and international law
You may read the full letter here: ACAF Letter to Zimbabwe
This joint action reflects continental solidarity among academic unions and human rights defenders committed to protecting intellectual freedom across Africa.
We remain hopeful that constructive engagement will prevail and that the rights and dignity of Zimbabwe’s academic community will be safeguarded.