THE University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has started recruiting adjunct lecturers, who will be paid on an hourly basis, to replace striking educators.
In a letter dated May 20, 2025, Simba Matsika, UZ administration officer, human capital management, revealed the US$5,50 per hour rate.
“You will be paid based on the following structure: 60% of the total hours will be paid at a rate of US$3,30 per hour and the remaining 40% at a rate of US$2,20 per hour, payable in ZiG equivalence,” the letter said.
The money is inclusive of all teaching-related duties, including preparation, assignment-setting and marking of examination scripts, Matsika said.
The maximum contract time for a module per semester is 60 hours and only actual hours worked will be paid.
A simple calculation shows that if one works for 60 hours, US$118,80 is payable and US$52,80 is payable in ZiG.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) rubbished the offer as “financial mockery”.
“Desperation meets despicability. The VC (vice-chancellor) Paul Mapfumo’s administration contracts reveal systemic wage theft masked as employment. These are not salaries —they are financial mockery,” AUT said.
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UZ resorted to hiring “adjuncts to teach” following a salary review stand-off with lecturers.
Lecturers have been on an indefinite strike for the past two months as they press for a salary of US$2 500.
They currently earn US$230 plus a local currency component of about US$200 when converted.
