University of Zimbabwe student president released

By Violet Gonda
25 May 2006

Tinei Mukweva the President of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Students Council was released Thursday evening after spending four days in police custody.

He was picked up at the UZ on 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 building worth billions of dollars had been burnt down in Bindura. Although the authorities have tried to link the student activist to this arson attack his lawyer Andrew Makoni said his client was in Harare when the incident took place.

Makoni was speaking from Bindura Police Station where his client was going through the formalities for the release.

The lawyer also confirmed reports that his client had been severely assaulted especially under the feet by officers from the Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police, before he was transferred to Bindura.

But Makoni said despite being locked up and being ill-treated the student leader was released without charge, “The police are saying that when they are in a position to locate their witnesses they might then call him to answer certain questions. But in my view really – there is really nothing sticking on him and that could be the end of the matter as regards Tinei.”

Meanwhile it’s reported that police are still on the hunt for two student leaders including Zinasu President Promise Mkhwananzi.