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Five student leaders appear in court for trial
Students Solidarity Trust
July 23, 2010

Five Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) Leaders appeared before a Harare magistrate on charges of participating in an illegal gathering. The five, Obert Masaraure, Tafadzwa Kutya, Gamuchirai Mukura, Archford Mudzengi and Tryvin Musokere were arrested on 16 June after addressing students at the University of Zimbabwe as part of the "Day of the African Child" Commemorations. The trial failed to kick off after the state witnesses failed to appear in court. Trial will continue on 23 August.

The five student leaders were brutally assaulted by University of Zimbabwe security guards and members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) when they were arrested last month. Over the years the,University of Zimbabwe security guards have committed serious human rights abuses on campus which include the killing of a student,Batanai Hadzidzi in 2001.

The day of the African child commemorates the Soweto uprisings which protested against repressive and suppressive conditions of learning in pre independent South Africa largely similar to contemporary Zimbabwe's education sector which does not respect freedom of expression. The educational sector in Zimbabwe is characterised with shortages of teachers, textbooks and other equipment. Teacher training colleges are not getting enough government support. Teachers earn as little as US$150 which is far below the poverty datum line.

Meanwhile two Bulawayo student activists Jorum Chikwadze and Patrick Danga who are facing charges under Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 for defeating the course of justice. Whose trial started today will appear before the Bulawayo magistrate once again on the 30th of July for cross examination.

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