Students nationwide under siege

By Lance Guma
28 October 2005

The President of the Zimbabwe National Association of Students Unions, Washington Katema says the level of victimization of student’s countrywide has reached alarming levels. The University of Zimbabwe is reported to have suspended Student Executive Council members following allegations they incited a rebellion over a directive by authorities for students to pay for hostel refurbishments. In a bizarre move the University wants students to sign letters agreeing to them paying Z$150,000 each for the repainting and repair of hostel facilities on campus.

The directive has been met with extreme anger by the students who are already receiving meagre allowances as it is. Students in hostel receive Z$1,1 million while those non-residents get Z$1,9 million grants. Protests from student leaders to the Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura, have only attracted the suspension of Collen Chibanga and Mfundo Mlilo, the Vice President and Secretary General respectively. The Vice Chancellor says they are suspended until a disciplinary committee hears their case.

Last Wednesday disturbances broke out on campus, with riot police besieging the campus and randomly beating up students. At Bindura University a student leader was also expelled on various spurious allegations. In Masvingo students are being forced to join governments housing PR stunt, ‘Operation Garikai’ as part of their attachment. At the Harare Polytechnic a dean of students was recently suspended for trying to poison a group of student leaders by pouring acid onto their sheets and food in the hostels. A separate incident also saw the President of the University of Zimbabwe Students Council expelled for allegedly cheating on his exams.

At the Midlands State University, Ornwell Marasha, another student leader was expelled 3 weeks before he could complete his 3-year degree programme. He was accused of leading the production of a politically motivated video on campus, which allegedly brought the University into ‘disrepute’. ZINASU President Katema says students in the whole country were being subjected to unbelievable levels of harassment and intimidation. Suspensions and expulsions had now become a way of life for every student.