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Africa University students protested over top up fees
Student Solidarity Trust
November 13, 2008

Normalcy returned at Africa University (AU) after students protested on campus this Tuesday. Students engaged in a peaceful demonstration after they failed to agree with authorities on top up fees. A meeting between the authorities and the students body reached a deadlock which prompted the protest. Africa University authorities announced a top up fees of US$935 or Z$230 million Zimbabwean dollars in cash. The authorities went on to say that anyone who failed to top up will not be eligible to sit for their end of year examinations. Currently individuals are allowed to withdraw Z$500 from their banks which makes it difficult for a student to raise Z$230 million.

In a memo signed by the acting Vice Chancellor Professor F.Tagwira and addressed to the Students Representative Council (SRC) and the students body dated 11 November 2008, the Vice Chancellor said: "After our extensive discussions with yourselves, I would like to let you know that we will reconsider the fees. Once this process is completed we will inform the students. In the meantime students will be allowed to sit for their end of year examinations in view of the time left".

Students at the University vowed that they will not pay this money since they had paid enough for the semester. The economic meltdown in the country has prompted overcharging of basic commodities and services of which education has not been spared.

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