Behind The Headlines- 15 December 2005
Teachers Union leader and activist Majongwe speaks out on passport seizure and unity as the way forward

“They can keep it since they took it illegally, and I will not go to court to legitimise their actions”. These were the words of Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of The Progressive Teachers Union, activist and poet. As he spoke to Tererai on Thursday, he claimed state agents were in the supermarket where he was picking up some groceries, and had been trailing him from the time his passport was taken at Harare Airport on Wednesday afternoon. But then again, the outspoken Majongwe believes he has been under surveillance for years now. The only explanation he was given for the passport seizure was that a higher authority had ordered it.

Majongwe speaks out about the incident on Behind The Headlines. He tells guest presenter Tererai Karimakwenda that he will not fight the government in the courts because what they did was illegal. Majongwe believes teachers are viewed as a serious threat by the state. He says 90% of the cabinet were teachers themselves, and they know the power they hold.

As for the way forward, Majongwe said MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai’s recent call for a united front show that he has finally seen the light. He said he has told Tsvangirai in the past that elections were not the answer and no one group could remove Mugabe by itself - only a broad coalition will do. Majongwe also said the intellectuals in the country have misled the people.

The union leader is also now part of the Tripartite Negotiating Forum, which has government representation, along with business and labour. Asked if he can trust the government to be sincere, he said the Forum’s council will be meeting on December 21st, and he will make judgements after he meets and hears what the government representatives have to say.

As for his passport, Majongwe said he will not be going after it. They will have to bring it to him, otherwise they can keep it. He says he still has his thoughts, his voice and his principles. That’s what is important!