More student leaders abducted

By Lance Guma
17 May 2007

Mugabe’s security forces maintained a crackdown against student activism in the country by abducting two more student leaders at the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE). Student Representative Council president Tinashe Madamombe and Secretary General Moreblessing Mabhunu were abducted by suspected state agents at the old site campus in the morning. A statement from the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) said the abductors used a vehicle whose registration details they could not verify. Coincidentally the two leaders were the subject of a ZINASU alert barely a day ago, describing how they were being threatened with death for attending a ZINASU general council meeting over the weekend.

Details of the abduction remained sketchy late Thursday. The Vice President of the SRC Chiedza Gadzirayi and other concerned students confronted university security staff for an explanation on the abductions. The Chief Security Officer there, identified as Muchena, suggested to the students that the two had been taken to Bindura Central Police Station for questioning. University authorities are said to be accusing the students of conniving with a visiting student delegation from South Africa to organise a demonstration on campus. Two other student leaders from the university of Zimbabwe, Prosper Munatsi and Munyaradzi Chikorohondo were arrested last week Thursday following clashes with riot police. One other student was expelled while 8 others suspended. All are candidates in ongoing student council elections.

Meanwhile two leaders from the Zimbabwe Youth Movement, Collen Chibango and Wellington Mahohoma, were released from custody Thursday following their arrest on Tuesday. The two were arrested for allegedly inciting 60-80 vendors to resist arrest after police tried to pick them up for ‘illegal’ vending. The youths questioned the decision in light of the harsh economic environment in the country and were arrested. They say they were assaulted in custody.