ED fires ailing Mathema over COVID-19 bungling in schools

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President Mnangagwa has fired the Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema and banished him to an insignificant post of Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Mathema has been replaced by the Minister of State in Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga’s Office, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu.

The switching of responsibilities is with immediate effect.

“In terms of section 104 (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment No. 20 of 2013, His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has made the following ministerial appointments: Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu as Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Hon Cain G Mathema as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the President,” he said.

No reason was given for Mathema’s demotion.

The Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) told Zimbabwe Observer that Mathema was demoted for lying to the cabinet and President about the school’s readiness to open in face of Covid-19 pandemic.

“Matema was demoted for outright lies that schools were ready to reopen when they were not. He certainly lied to Cabinet and President who then gave him graceful withdrawal from an embarrassing scene,” said the PTUZ President Takavafira Zhou in an exclusive interview with Zimbabwe Observer.

Zhou welcomed the new minister Dr. Ndlovu, but warned her against following Mathema’s commandist approach in dealing with unions.

Zhou however described the new minister’s educational taxonomy as ‘rusty and absolete’

“We certainly welcome the new Minister although her educational taxonomy seem to be archaic, rusty and obsolete. All the same if she is receptive to ideas from teacher unions, and abandons Matema’s commandist approach she can go far,” said Zhou.

The PTUZ boss advised the new minister to be accommodative, engaging and consultative.

“The educational terrain is a terrain for engagement, broad consultation and logical disputation before introducing reforms. If the new Minister walk the terrain properly, it shall be well with her,” added Zhou.

He also took a swipe at the spokesman of the Minister Taungana Ndoro, who he described as an outright liar.

“Any attempts to continue along the path of arrogance, and outright lies peddled by Taungana Ndoro would be nothing more than perpetuating Matema’s educational vandalism which has no traction,” said the tough talking Zhou.

PTUZ and other unions have been having running battles with Mathema over the poor salaries of teachers and the Ministry s’ unpreparedness to prevent and contain COVID-19 infections in schools.

Mathema proceeded to open schools recently against PTUZ ‘s advice to equip learning institutions with COVID-19 medical equipment before allowing learners back. PTUZ also called upon the Ministry to vaccine teachers and students ahead of opening schools. Immediately outbreaks of Covid-19 infections followed as soon as schools open. Mathema is also recovering from a COVID-19 attack which PTUZ said he contracted after visiting schools.