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UZ students commence lessons as authorities deny them access to residence halls
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
September 11, 2007

The University of Zimbabwe opened doors for the second semester on the 10th of September 2007. Students are still being barred from returning to their residence halls. The country's largest institute of higher learning evicted more than 5 000 students from the campus citing arguments that the students are instigating acts of violence and unrest at the ailing institute of higher learning.

The UZ's position violates the high court order issued by Judge Ben Hlathwatyo on 13 July 2007 who ruled that the plaintiff must return to campus residence without cost. However, on 15 July 2007 his communiqué published in the Sunday Mail, 15 July 2007, Dr Levy Nyagura, the University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor acknowledged receipt of the high court order but rather preferred to be an oasis of defiance. His declaration of intent was that he will not comply with the order because he fears for his life. The justification must be dismissed by the contempt it deserves. Students do not hold any form of weaponry or arsenal that can justify Nyagura's justification.

The institution's callous position has left the majority of students coming from outside Harare vulnerable as they are forced to secure expensive accommodation in the surrounding suburbs. More so, due to the housing crisis in the country in the aftermath of Operation Murambatsvina, it is a daunting task for one to find shelter.

Students have become a causality of the state's policy compulsion and governance crisis that has led to the deep rooted crisis ever to confront the country. Education has been reduced to a privilege rather than a right for every person as enshrined in the country's constitution and the regional laws stipulated in the African Charter on Human and People's rights.

We therefore call upon the University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor to honour the court order issued on the 13th of July 2007. The students have been legally given the green light by the high court to return to their halls of residence.

The police must intervene by enforcing the law impartially. The police must refrain from being used as pawns by the ruling party and return to their professional oath of serving the country with loyalty, objectivity and cherishing the ideas of equity, transparency and accountability. Students are being traumatized, those holding positions of authority are wantonly defying court orders but the police is yet to lift a finger.

It is however disturbing that when the students register their grievances through peaceful and lawful avenues; the police are quick to activate their arsenal to thwart such genuine demands. The police must redeem their image and profession. Nyagura must go on a soul searching process. Students are the future leaders of this country; they have been traumatized for too long. They deserve peace and a proper learning environment if the country is to succeed.

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