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Masvingo students defy new fees structure
Students Solidarity Trust
February 21, 2006

The Zimbabwe National Students Union, which is spearheading nationwide demonstrations against the new fees regime imposed on students by the government, has taken their struggle to Masvingo. Last week, students in Bulawayo unequivocally stated their resentment to the new fees structure through successful demonstrations which brought Bulawayo Colleges to a halt.

Students at Masvingo Polytechnic have boycotted classes today, preferring to gather outside the office of the Principal. The students are resisting the new fees regime under the theme 'Education for all or for the elite'.

There was heavy presence of riot police at the campus as the students attempted to demonstrate against the shocking move of the government to privatize tertiary education. However, the ZINASU leadership managed to address students at Masvingo Poly and categorically made it clear that students should resist this new fees structure.

The ZINASU President, Washington Katema, general council members Mfundo Mlilo, Wellington Mahohoma from the University of Zimbabwe and eight students were briefly detained by the police and were harassed. Wellington Mahohoma is receiving treatment in Masvingo for a fractured leg, an injury sustained when police attempted to arrest him.

Police had to fire teargas to disperse the angry students.

The ZINASU leadership was expected to address students at Masvingo Teachers College later today.

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