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Three MSU student leaders arrested
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
February 09, 2009

Three Midlands State University (MSU), students namely Obert Masaraure, Prince Ncube and Ishe Chingwena were today arrested and severely beaten by the college security and state police details, after leading a peaceful demonstration against dollarization of education in the country. More than 300 students were marching to the Vice Chancellor's office to handover a petition with grievances against the new fee structure, and it was at this moment that overzealous university security guards with the help of riot police officers violently quashed the demonstration resulting in the injury of several students. Three student leaders were arrested and severely beaten at the campus guard room before they were taken to Gweru Central Police Station.

ZINASU condemns the arrests of students and the violent response by the state to student peaceful protests. We further assert that payments of fees in foreign currency will be the final death nail on the collapse of our once vibrant and robust education sector. Scores of students will drop out of school owing to high fees. At least 94% of Zimbabwe's productive sector is unemployed and for the few still working are earning in Zimbabwean dollars. We will continue the fight against dollarisation and we urge students in other institutions to intensify this campaign against dollarisation and the commodification of our birthright i.e education.

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