Police arrest 25 students over Bindura University demo

By Lance Guma
14 January 2010

Twenty-five students were arrested at Bindura University on Thursday, after a demonstration over exorbitant tuition fees which have resulted in at least 40 percent of students being denied access to write their exams. Earlier in the morning Zimbabwe National Students Unions (ZINASU) President Joshua Chinyere, Secretary General Grant Tabvurei and 5 others were arrested and detained at Bindura Central Police Station.

ZINASU, which represents students countrywide, split into two factions last year over serious management and ideological differences. A statement released by the faction led by one of the arrested, Joshua Chinyere, said over 850 students were denied access to write their exams after the university demanded payment of outstanding fees. Tuition fees are currently pegged between US$400 and US$850, depending on the course, but the students say the majority cannot afford to pay this.

As the day progressed on Thursday police continued picking up more and more students, with ZINASU confirming the arrest of a further 18. ‘The continued crackdown is meant to inflict fear on the students to stop the demonstration but the students remain adamant to continue protesting until their grievances are addressed,’ the union said. They also expressed disappointment that the inclusive government had so far failed to deal with their grievances and had allowed the situation to worsen.

Efforts were being made during the day to secure the release of the arrested students. Former ZINASU President Brilliant Dube told Newsreel that several students were injured in skirmishes with the riot police who were deployed to deal with the demonstration. Some of the injured were transferred to hospitals in Harare for treatment. Dube also said ZINASU coordinator Mfundo Mlilo, lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the Students Solidarity Trust were intervening to help secure the release of those arrested.