Arrested students released in Harare and Masvingo
By Tererai Karimakwenda
13 November 2006

The students who were arrested last Wednesday after demonstrations in Harare and Masvingo were all released on Friday. The two detained in Harare were released without charge and the Masvingo group of students were released on bail.

Washington Katema, coordinator for the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), said the number of students arrested in Masvingo had gone up to 24 from the originally suspected 18. He also revealed that the ZINASU vice president Gideon Chipanga had been brutally assaulted by police while in custody. They brought him to a doctor who released him the same day. The 24 are due in court November 20th in Masvingo.

Katema said the Masvingo demonstrators are being charged under the Public Order and security Act for failing to get permission first from police before the march. But POSA does not require permission from police. It simply states that police are to be notified.

Students from all colleges in Masvingo took to the streets of the city centre last Wednesday peacefully protesting against unaffordable tuition and bungled exams.