University of Zimbabwe student president tortured by police

By Violet Gonda
24 May 2006

The President of the University of Zimbabwe Students Council, Tinei Mukweva, is reported to have been tortured by CID Law and Order officers. He was picked up on campus last Monday as part of the government’s crack down on student protests. Students have been protesting the huge fee increases for tuition and during one protest a computer lab had been burned down in Bindura.

Trevor Murai the Secretary General of the Students Council said Mukweva was clearly not involved in this as he was on the UZ campus in Harare at the time.

Murai visited Mukweva at Harare Central Tuesday and said he was extremely concerned about him. He said the student president was “coughing blood,’ when he saw him in detention.

The Secretary General also reported that Mukweva has now been moved to Bindura Central police station and is being denied food.

Mr Murai is currently soliciting support from students and former student leaders as he fears that the President of the Students Council could be fatally injured as he also suffers from a heart problem. Well wishers may get in touch with Mr Murai on +26391993755.

Meanwhile the President of Zinasu, Promise Mkhwananzi, is on the run on the same allegations.