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Students
arrested, halls of residence torched: University of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe National
Students Union (ZINASU)
October 28, 2003
Following up
their demands for the reversal of fare hikes and an increase in
pay outs students at the University of Zimbabwe who last week on
Monday and Tuesday, brought transport to a halt in Mt Pleasant,
where the college is situated, went up in arms against armed riot
police at campus, all day on Monday 27 October 2003.
Transport fares
were hiked from $400 to $800 a trip after government deregulation
of fuel. This sparked increases in food at campus while on the other
hand the meagre pay out have not yet been disbursed for a semester
that is into its 4th week. As such the Students Union organised
Protest demonstrations which resulted in traffic blocking and lecture
boycotts.
When armed riot
police arrived at campus, they immediately set aflame the halls
of residence in which key union leaders and activists reside. Property
in at least four rooms was burnt to ashes. 18 student activists
were arrested and are being held at Avondale police station. Several
students were assaulted and are being treated at the college clinic
while most students who have alternative accommodation in Harare
have since deserted campus, and some have taken refuge at other
colleges in Harare.
The heavy handedness
of the police comes barely days after the ZINASU President, Secretary
for Research and Education, and the Secretary for Projects were
harassed by intelligence officers in connection with the NCA demonstrations.
The Zimbabwe
National Students Union and the University of Zimbabwe Student Executive
Council have vowed to continue with the protests and today, Tuesday
28th at 14:00 hrs, there will be a General meeting at UZ to kick
start another round of protests.
Meanwhile the
Students Solidarity Trust is making frantic efforts to secure food
and the release of the detained comrades. The coodinator of the
Trust can be contacted on the following Number +263 91 913 418.
We appeal to
you for assistance by calling the following police station where
the students are detained and demand their immediate and unconditional
release. Call +263 4 336632 .
In total defence
of the Zimbabwean students.
Biko Mutsaurwa
Secretary for Research And Education
ZINASU
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