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Four students remanded in custody as state declares war on students
Students Solidarity Trust
October 22, 2007

Four students were today remanded in custody in Masvingo. First to appear in court this morning was jailed Great Zimbabwe University Students Executive Council (SEC) Secretary General Edison Hlatshwayo. In presenting judgment to his bail application, the magistrate granted him five million dollars bail and ordered him to deposit his passport with the same court. The state opposed bail citing section 1.21 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The state led by one Chauromwa (Dehwa) had earlier on declared outside the courtroom that he will resign if Hlatshwayo is released on bail.Edson is being charged for malicious injury to property following disturbances that rocked the university early September. He was arrested on 27 September while attending a Youth Forum meeting.

Hlatshwayo's hearing was followed by George Makamure, Brenda Mupfurutsa and Ogylive Makova, all students from Great Zimbabwe University. George Makamure was picked on campus on Wednesday morning by detectives from law and order section led by one assistant Inspector Mutandiri.Brenda a female student was picked inside Masvingo magistrate court while attending Hlatswayo's trial.Makova was picked by the same detectives on Wednesday night. The three appeared in court on Saturday and were remanded in custody. Today they appeared in court for bail hearing. Their bail hearing was then postponed to October 25.The state promised that it will not oppose bail. They are being charged on allegations of contempt of court following Monday's demonstrations at the court.

After the court hearings, police also arrested Joel Dungudza a part 3 Bsc Social science student at Great Zimbabwe University.it is alleged that he has been arrested in connection with contempt of court charges following demonstration at the court on Monday in solidarity with Edison Hlatswayo.

Meanwhile authorities at Great Zimbabwe University have summoned ten students to the college disciplinary committee for hearing tomorrow. They are being accused of assaulting Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) members at campus. This follows disturbances during Orientation week when ZINASU and ZICOSU members clashed on campus.

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