Masvingo students riot over arrest of their leader

By Lance Guma
09 May 2008

The arrest of Courage Ngwarai, a student leader at the Great Zimbabwe
University in Masvingo, sparked riots on campus as students clashed with riot police. Police came to the campus Thursday evening to arrest Ngwarai over a demonstration held last week. Students however vowed to defend him and this led to clashes, which saw police indiscriminately assault everyone within sight. Several students were injured in the chaos. Police claim Ngwarai, a legal and academic secretary with the Zimbabwe National Students Union, incited students to demonstrate during an address he made last week. The university has also suspended him.

Meanwhile over 600 students at the Chinhoyi University of Technology demonstrated on campus Wednesday, demanding that Robert Mugabe step down for bringing untold misery to the population. At least 2 truckloads of riot police descended on the campus and assaulted the peaceful students. Police arrested 5 student leaders, including Faith Mutepa and Priviledge Matizanadzo. They were taken to Chinhoyi Central Police Station where they are still in police custody. ZINASU said no charges have been filed against them, but there are unfounded allegations that the group assaulted some police officers.

ZINASU Information secretary Blessing Vava, Treasurer Themba Maphenduka and Chinhoyi University Students' Union leader Faith Mutepa, all addressed students in the dining hall. The speakers attributed the total collapse of tertiary education to the crisis of national governance in the country. ZINASU say war veterans later abducted Vava and his whereabouts are still unknown. ZINASU President Clever Bere issued a warning to Mugabe’s regime saying Zimbabweans will not accept any games in the event of a run-off. He called for international supervision of the election and that results be announced within 48 hours. The students have also demanded an end to the politically motivated violence.