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University
of Zimbabwe student leaders languishing in prison
Students Solidarity Trust
March 01, 2006
In yet another
clear case of the defiance of the rule of law, police at Avondale
Police Station are holding hostage six student leaders who were
arrested on Monday at the University of Zimbabwe. This is despite
the fact that lawyers representing the students have managed to
secure an order for the release of the students from the Attorney
General’s office.
Junior police
officers at the station are frustrating all efforts to release the
students, intimating that they are waiting for orders from superiors
for them to effect the release. Yet the AG’s order is more superior
to the police command.
The six students
are Washington Katema, ZINASU
President, Wellington Mahohoma, Collins Chibango, Mfundo Mlilo,
all members of the Students Executive Council at the University
of Zimbabwe, and two other unidentified students.
The six were
arrested after addressing a large gathering of students who were
intending to protest against the recently announced fees by the
government.
ZINASU is currently
involved in an intensive nationwide resistance programme aimed at
seeking adjustment to the students support loans to be in sync with
current inflation trends.
The students’
body has launched a peaceful campaign programme, under the theme,
education for all or for the elite.
Students at
state universities studying in the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
are now expected to pay $30 million per anum as tuition fees. Student’s
support is $11.4 million. Students are expected to pay the difference
of $18.6 million. Residence fees are $24 million per semester, of
which $21.5million is for the meals. At the University of Zimbabwe,
it has been categorically made clear that students should pay the
fees by the 25th of February, money which amounts to
$33million.
The recent turn
of events at Avondale Police Station give testimony to the fact
that there is no longer separation of powers in Zimbabwe. There
is no greater erosion of the independence of the judiciary if the
judiciary cannot enforce its decisions or if the decisions passed
by the judiciary cannot be enforced by the executive through the
law enforcement agents.
The recent flurry
of arrests of student leaders who are merely executing their constitutional
rights of representing the interests of the students is indicative
of the fact that our institutions of higher learning still carry
the legacy of Ian Smithism, which is intolerance, ignorance, arrogance
and downright repression. Oppression is becoming a growth industry
in Zimbabwe.
Instead of arresting
students voicing their concerns, the state should move with haste
and speed to act upon the grievances of students and make life easier
for students, who have watched their very social fabric being eroded
systematically over the years by the Harare regime.
Issued by the
Students Solidarity Trust – a non-partisan student organization
that promotes solidarity among and provides supports to the student
community for a democratic Zimbabwe. SST seeks to provide solidarity
and support to the Zimbabwean students’ community through:
- Support programmes
for student victims of human rights abuse
- Monitoring
and reporting on human rights abuses of students in Zimbabwe
- Promoting
popular participation and social dialogue
Developing strategic
partnerships and networks at national, regional and international
levels
Visit the Students
Solidarity Trust fact
sheet
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