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(SCMZ)
UZ leadership arrested
Student
Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ)
May 11, 2007
Prosper Munatsi,
Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ) University of Zimbabwe
Branch Secretary-General was arrested yesterday night at the University
of Zimbabwe (UZ). Prosper was arrested together with another SCMZ
member, Munyaradzi Chikorohondo for allegedly participating in a gathering
likely to bring a breach of peace under the draconian Public
Order and Security Act (POSA).
The duo was brutally assaulted by UZ security agents, one of them
positively identified as Munyaradzi Seredzai. Prosper incurred a swollen
left arm, extensive bruises on the head and back while Chikorohondo
also incurred several bruises. They were initially detained at Avondale
Police station were they were subjected to police harassment, torture
and denied food and legal representation. They have been transferred
to the Harare Central Police Station Law and Order Section which is
infamous for its inhumane treatment of activists.
The charges from the two arise from an earlier address on the plight
of students given by Prosper to UZ students. Prosper's address
centred on the failure of the UZ administration to address the ongoing
job action by the academic staff which has left the academic future
of thousands of students hanging in an unpalatable balance. The UZ
is officially set to close its second semester on 8 June 2007, barely
three weeks away when on the ground; only four out of the 10 faculties
have been confirmed as sitting for the second semester examinations.
There
is uncertainty as to the future of the rest of the students. Coupled
to this is the unassailable reality that there are no functioning
ablution facilities at the University of Zimbabwe which poses a
great risk to resident students. To make matters worse, the meals
are poorly prepared and heavily rationed with one kg of meat expected
to serve forty students, with no breakfast being offered, vegetables
being prepared with no cooking oil. The situation is just pathetic,
and for raising these concerns, seeking genuine student consultation,
one is arrested for participating in a gathering likely to breach
the peace! One then asks which peace are we talking about, whose
peace is it?
SCMZ believes in a just and peaceful society where citizens are
free to interact at any time and level. It also strongly advocates
for active participation of Young Christians in issues affecting
their daily lives, particularly contributing in resolving the current
crisis bedeviling our country. SCMZ therefore categorically condemns
the brutality by both the UZ security and the members of the police
force.
Visit the SCMZ
fact
sheet
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