By staff writer
5 February 2010
Two student activists were arrested by police in Harare on Thursday for addressing their colleagues at the crisis ridden Harare Polytechnic. The Zimbabwe National Students Union spokesperson Kudakwashe Chakabva issued a statement on Friday saying the two had been assigned a fact-finding mission to collect data on the grievances and challenges facing students.
The arrested activists are ZINASU National Secretary for Education and Research Bastinos Kundishora and Gamuchirai Mukura.
The students’ union has been protesting against high tuition fees and the appalling standard of education.
Chakabva said: “Students at Harare Polytechnic College have been denied their examination results, and others have been denied registration owing to fees arrears. ZINASU therefore condemns this vile act as well as the continued harassment of student leaders who are just executing the mandate given to them by the generality of students.”
The latest arrest comes a day after eleven students were assaulted and arrested by police and security guards at the University of Zimbabwe. The students were also holding a meeting to address grievances regarding tuition fees and accommodation problems. The UZ students were eventually released on the same day but were charged with trying to incite violence on campus.
ZINASU is calling on the government to revisit the contentious fees issue with immediate effect.
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