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Mutare Polytechnic College students arrested
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
September 16, 2009

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) opens

The University of Zimbabwe opened for the second semester on the 8th of September 2009 after a semester break of only one week. Tuition fees are ranging between USD 404 - USD 785 and all students being required to pay a deposit of USD 204 before registration. Lectures at the college are yet to commence as only 40% of the lecturers have returned with the majority demanding competitive remuneration packages.

65% of the students have failed to return for the semester as a result of the exorbitant fees charged at the institution. The majority of the students are still struggling to pay the balance from last semester to access their results so as to proceed to the next level. College authorities are delaying the Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and the Vice-Chancellor Mr. Levy Nyagura announced that elections at the college are not a priority as there are more pressing issues at the college that need urgent attention. The constitution at the University clearly states that SRC elections should be conducted on the second week of the second semester but the College Authority report bankrupt.

The water challenge is yet to be addressed, only three ablution facilities are working at the college and the halls of residence are still closed.

Mutare Polytechnic College Students Arrested

Police in Mutare arrested two students from Mutare Polytechnic College on Thursday 10 September 2009 for threatening to hold a demonstration during a Graduation ceremony that took place on Friday 11 September 2009. The two Charles Chinyanga, President of the SRC and Bestinos Kundishora, Secretary General were arrested and charged with Public Disorder. The arrest came after the two distributed materials demanding fee reductions from the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Mr. Stan Mudenge who was a guest of honor at the graduation ceremony.

The tuition fees are ranging from USD 250 - USD 500 and students are being asked to pay extra charges for accommodation and examination fees. The two student leaders were later released upon paying a fine of USD 20 on Friday evening after the graduation ceremony. ZINASU castigates the continued harassment of student leaders in Zimbabwe and the ZINASU leadership is meeting the two Home affairs Ministers next week Wednesday to air their disgruntlement on the continued harassment of student leaders in institutions of higher learning.

Visit the ZINASU fact sheet

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