THE NGO NETWORK ALLIANCE PROJECT - an online community for Zimbabwean activists  
 View archive by sector
 
 
    HOME THE PROJECT DIRECTORYJOINARCHIVESEARCH E:ACTIVISMBLOGSMSFREEDOM FONELINKS CONTACT US
 

 


Back to Index

Zinasu President released on bail
Zimbabwe National Students Union
November 21, 2012

The Zimbabwe National Students Union president Pride Mkono was today released on bail after spending close to a month in the dreadful and repulsive Whawha prison. Mkono was apprehended on the 1st of November in Gweru where he had gone to facilitate bail payment for the Zinasu secretary general Tryvine Musokeri. Mkono and Musokeri appeared in court today facing charges preferred on them under the maleficent and draconian Public Order and Security Act.

The charges developed after the latter addressed students at MSU earlier this year. Zinasu strongly holds that student leaders should not be persecuted or prosecuted for carrying out their duty of representing the ordinary student. Such laws as POSA should be amended so as to give the political space necessary for civic society organizations to carry out their duties.

The Zinasu Information Department is still to catch up with Mkono following his release but can provide some information gained during an interview held with the latter whilst he was still detained. Mkono maintained food in Whawha was scarce and unappealing. In the morning prisoners are provided with unbelievably thin porridge and later given pup in the afternoon taken with as little as three strands of vegetables. According to unconfirmed reports some prisoners were catching and eating frogs in an attempt to supplement their pathetic diet.

Whilst it is a relief that Mkono has been released, Zinasu is worried about his medical condition given the fact that after his release from the same prison, Musokeri suffered from a skin disease and is still being afflicted by chest pains.

Zinasu remains resolute, unwavering and unshaken in its quest to fight for the students of Zimbabwe despite the victimization of its leadership. After his release from Whawha prison Musokeri maintained he would continue fighting for student rights no matter how long or how many times he was arrested: such is the spirit of the Zinasu leadership which is determined to see the attainment of the objectives of the students' struggle in Zimbabwe come what may.

Visit the ZINASU fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP