Eleven nurses at Marondera Provincial Hospital were apprehended on Wednesday and subsequently fined US$30 each for public nuisance. The arrests occurred following an alleged attempt to organize a demonstration concerning substandard working conditions and inadequate salaries, an incident that has exacerbated existing tensions within Zimbabwe’s health sector.
The nurses had convened on March 25, 2026, with the intention of expressing their grievances. However, law enforcement officials surrounded them and took them into custody, detaining them at Marondera Police Station.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) later facilitated the payment of their fines.
ZINA issued a statement confirming its prompt intervention to secure the nurses’ release after the arrests. The association stated, “ZINA swiftly intervened yesterday after 11 nurses were arrested at Marondera Provincial Hospital for allegedly attempting to stage a demonstration over poor working conditions and salaries.”
The organization further verified that the nurses had initially gathered to discuss their concerns when police intervened. “The nurses, who had gathered on 25 March 2026 to discuss their concerns, were surrounded by police and detained at Marondera Police Station,” a portion of the statement read.
ZINA confirmed that it dispatched its legal representative, who successfully negotiated the release of the detained nurses. “Following the intervention, the Association dispatched its lawyer, who successfully secured their release,” the statement affirmed.
These arrests highlight the increasing dissatisfaction among health workers, who have consistently voiced concerns regarding deteriorating work environments, insufficient remuneration, and a perceived lack of dialogue with authorities.
“This incident underscores rising tensions within the health sector, as nurses continue to push for better working conditions, fair treatment, and meaningful engagement with authorities,” the association concluded.
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