Protests erupt at teachers college over sudden fee increase

By Lance Guma
10 January 2006

There was chaos at Mkoba Teachers College on Monday after students demonstrated against a sudden fee increase announced by authorities on the opening day of the term. The students receive grants of Z$3,6 million per year but were told they need to fork out Z$6,5 million per term for accommodation and catering services. Washington Katema, the President of the Zimbabwe National Association of Students Unions (ZINASU) said that riot police immediately surrounded the campus and arrested the Student Executive Council President alongside another senior union leader.

With outgoing President Rufai Chaderopa on teaching practice in Karoi, the as yet unknown acting President and his deputy faced a baptism of fire after being manhandled by police officers into a waiting truck. Authorities accused them of addressing a meeting at which they are alleged to have incited the demonstration. Both are being held at Gweru Central Police Station. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have taken up the case and by Tuesday were still trying to secure their release.

The students meanwhile refused to attend lectures on Monday and at the time of writing (Tuesday evening) the boycott was still in force. What has particularly irked the students is that authorities waited for the college to open before announcing new fee structures. Katema described the fees as unrealistic in light of their stagnant grants, which remain way below the levels required to survive in Zimbabwe.