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Jailed student leader appears in court
Students Solidarity Trust
October 17, 2007

Jailed Great Zimbabwe University student leader has appeared in court early this morning. Following presentations from both the state and defense, the case has been adjoined to this afternoon when the local magistrate is expected to deliver judgment on his bail application. Edison Hlatshwayo was arrested on 27 September while attending a Youth forum meeting in Masvingo. He has been remanded in custody at the Mutimurefu prison since then. His health is deteriorating due to inhuman conditions in prisons. It is alleged that he was also assaulted in police custody by an officer only identified as Muchinjike from Masvingo police station, CID Law and order section. The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has launched "Free Edison Campaign" to press for the immediate release of Edison Hlatshwayo.

Meanwhile the eleven students picked up by police from Masvingo Polytechnic and Great Zimbabwe University are still languishing in cells at Masvingo central police station. Speculation is high that they may appear in court today. No charge has been preferred on them. The arrested students are Aaron Muchipisi, Toveregwa Mucheki, Muzenda, Ben Mhlanga, Tove, Munyaradi Chitsike, Cleopas Zhoya and others yet to be identified.

Early this morning officers from the Masvingo CID law and order section led by one assistant inspector Mutandiri, picked three students at Great Zimbabwe University. It is believed that they have been picked in connection with yesterday's demonstration at Masvingo magistrate court in solidarity with Edison Hlatshwayo.The three are George Makamure, Gift Kuzuwazuwa and Desmond Ncube.

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