University turned into war zone as police and students clash

By Lance Guma
11 May 2007.

The University of Zimbabwe resembled a war zone on Thursday as students clashed with riot police following the disruption of a campaign gala. Student elections are due at the university and several candidates had hoped to address students and put forward their campaign manifestos. Speaking to Newsreel on Friday Benjamin Nyandoro, a Programmes Officer with the Zimbabwe National Students Union, said UZ security guards started assaulting students without provocation. The students responded by singing revolutionary songs and denouncing Robert Mugabe who is the Chancellor of the university.

Riot police then descended on the campus firing tear gas canisters and beating up students. Several first year students were arrested before being released. 3 student leaders, Prosper Munatse, Munyaradzi Seredzayi and Blessing Vava were locked up at Avondale Police station before being transferred to Harare Central. Munatse and Seredzayi were arrested whilst addressing students and taken to the UZ campus control room by security guards. It’s alleged they were then heavily assaulted before police came to pick them up. Students who visited them Friday morning say they are being denied medical treatment despite suffering injuries to the head, arms and back.

Nyandoro said police also fired live ammunition on campus and unleashed two vicious dogs that allegedly mauled several students. Its thought at least 4 students were hospitalized while another 15 were injured. In the mayhem several buildings and 3 vehicles were destroyed. Windows at the government owned Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, Main Library, Great Hall, Swinton Dining Hall, New Complexes 2, 3 and 4 were smashed. The UZ student leadership say they tried to calm down angry students but this proved futile as the clashes continued throughout the afternoon.

Students are not happy over the deteriorating educational, health, accommodation and food standards on campus. A major hike in tuition fees last year has also made the situation worse since most students say they cannot afford the new fees. The student elections have become a platform for articulating these issues and this is seen as the reason why the authorities are trying to block the campaign galas. There is also an accommodation crisis on campus following the eviction of over 1500 male students from residence. This was because of a controversial directive to re-designate previously male hostels for females. The courts set this decision aside but the authorities disregarded it. An ongoing strike by lecturers, which started in January, is also affecting the students.

Meanwhile riot police maintained a heavy presence on campus right up to Friday.