University students petition European Union to ban Vice Chancellor

By Lance Guma
30 November 2005

The suspended student leadership at the University of Zimbabwe has petitioned the European Union to impose a travel ban on the Vice Chancellor, Professor Levi Nyagura. The petition was signed by all 6 members of the Students Executive Council (SEC) and submitted to British Prime Minister, Tony Blair who is the current Chairman of the European Union. They cite Nyagura as the chief henchman of the Mugabe regime who is responsible for victimising students at the University. The Vice Chancellor has defied a High Court order quashing the suspension of student leaders by re-suspending them. Secretary General Mfundo Mlilo told Newsreel they want Nyagura to be placed on targeted sanctions by all European countries to make the point he is an extension of the current regime. The petition documents the recent harassment and victimization of students taking place. Students have been arrested, detained and tortured in police cells on trumped up charges before getting released without charge. A copy of the petition has been sent to the SADC Chairman, Minister of Higher Education, UN Secretary General and foreign diplomatic missions in the country.