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ZINASU President thanks all for the solidarity and support rendered during arrest
Clever Bere, Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
August 07, 2009

Colleagues,

This mail serves to inform you that I have been released together with my three collegues, Kudakwashe Chakabva, Archford Mudzengi and Brian Rundogo.

We were arrested under the notorious Section 37 of the Criminal Codification Act for . . . ''participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breach of peace or bigotry.''

We were arrested on Wednesday 05 August 2009, whilst addressing students general meeting at University of Zimbabwe which had been called to discuss issues affecting students at the institution and the issues included among other issues, the issue of the unaffordable tuition fees, academic calendar, the issue of the opening of the halls of residence, learning conditions and the general political transition, with particular reference to the democratization agenda, anchored around the Constitutional reform agenda.

We were remanded on a US$30 bail for each accused person and we are supposed to report every Friday to the Law and Order Section at Harare Central Police Station. We are reappearing before the Magistrate on the 21st of August at the Rotten Row Magistrate Court.

I wish to thank make a special appreciation to the Students Solidarity Trust (SST) for the support rendered to us in our time of need. Further, I wish to thank our ZINASU Board of advisers, Chairperson Takura Zhangazha, Vice Hopewell Gumbo, Secretary Madock Chivasa, Raymond Majongwe, Philip Pasirayi, for the unwavering support during these trying times.

Most importantly I wish to thank Blessing Vava, the ZINASU Spokesperson for all the work he did in keeping all of you informed and Jeremiah Bamu, our lawyer for the sterling work.

Your solidarity remains our pillar of inspiration.

Lastly, I also wish to thank, on behalf of all my colleagues, the support and solidarity we got from the NCA, MISA, ZCTU, CCDZ, ZLHR, SAIH, AASU, ACTSA, Amnesty International, my colleagues in the World Youth Movement for Democracy, Africa Democracy Forum, members of media fraternity, journalists, regional and international solidarity and partner organizations, from the civil society and students movements and all comrades, we really appreciate.

We remain committed to the vision of education for all, we remain committed to a democratic Zimbabwe, and we remain committed to a democratic and people driven constitution.

We remain gravely concerned with the continued detention of fellow students activists in Masvingo.

In conclusion, the students union remains firm and resolute in defending the rights of students, demanding better working conditions and salaries for the workers-our parents, and a genuine people driven constitution.

On Constitutional reform we remain committed to the principle agreed at the Working People's Convention in 1999 and I quote, "The writing of a people's constitution be initiated with immediate effect, through a constitutional commission NOT based on Presidential/partisan appointment, but defined by and accountable to a conference of representatives of elected, civil and other social groups."

These principles were also adopted by the 1st People's Constitutional Convention of 1999; the Zimbabwe People's Convention of February 2008 as well as by the 2nd People Constitutional Convention held on the 27th of July 2009 at the Aquatic complex in Chitungwiza.

In defense of the rights of students,
Clever Bere

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