ZBC and the bogus student leader
By Lance Guma
13 December 2005

Student leaders at the University of Zimbabwe are up in arms over what they allege was a deliberate ploy by state broadcaster (ZBC) to give 10 minutes airtime on the main news bulletin to a bogus student leader who criticised UN envoy Jan Egeland. In a press release sent to media groups around the world, Secretary General of the Students Executive Council, Mfundo Mlilo said the entire student leadership at the university ‘disassociates itself from the statements made by an unknown individual…purporting to be the Vice President of the SEC’.

Collen Chibango who holds the position in question told Newsreel they are shocked at the latest tactic from Robert Mugabe’s government. Authorities were clearly abusing the monopoly they hold over the airwaves and the students are demanding an apology from the state broadcaster for misrepresenting their position. Chibango believes the government is incensed by a petition they sent to the European Union calling for travel sanctions on the Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura and they view the latest move as retaliation.

The student body has put their weight behind the UN report by special envoy Anna Tibaijuka and fully support the recommendations of Jan Egeland, another envoy that recently visited Zimbabwe and criticised governments housing plans. Robert Mugabe meanwhile spared no punches and called Egeland a liar for coming up with damning recommendations after his visit.

The entire student body at the University is under suspension despite a high court order nullifying it. Their lawyers have given the UZ authorities up to the 6 th of January 2006 to allow the students to sit for their supplementary exams and also allow the expelled President of the SEC, Herntel Mavuma to re-register for the next semester. The matter might go to court if an out of court settlement is not worked out.