Riot police called in after university students clash with lecturers

By Lance Guma
15 March 2006

Riot police had to be called in Tuesday at the university of Zimbabwe after students at the law faculty were involved in scuffles with their lecturers. Faculty Representative Brighton Makunike says although most students have failed to raise the new tuition fees, the law department registered the highest number who managed to pay. Some of the students in this faculty however are not happy because their lecturers are not turning up to teach. The verbal interchanges degenerated into pushing and shoving and it was not long before students from other departments joined in the melee.

The university has been rocked by several student demonstrations since it opened on the 27th of February. Most departments have gone for almost 4 weeks without any lessons. Students say they cannot afford the tenfold hike in tuition fees. Under gazetted fees they have to fork out between Z$35 and Z$60 million a year up from Z$3,5 million, depending on their faculty. To make matters worse support grants of Z$11,5 million a year remain far below the new requirements.

The impasse continues despite a High Court order setting aside the fee increases. This has created confusion over whether the university can be technically termed ‘open or closed’ since there is virtually no academic activity. Administration officials are alleged to have informed student leaders the university council is now considering closing the campus until the matter is resolved. Makunike estimates that less than a thousand students have paid the new fees and the High Court order has given them hope for a review of the matter.

On the 6th of March the University suspended three student leaders, Mfundo Mlilo, Collen Chibango and Wellington Mahohoma for allegedly inciting a series of crippling demonstrations. The students however refused to sign the suspension letters arguing the suspension was null and void since it arose from a charge the police themselves dropped. Students countrywide have protested the increases. Under the auspices of the Zimbabwe National Students Union they have forced the closure of several universities and colleges around the country. They say they will not back down until government reviews the fee increases.