News / Local
Varsity students denied results over demonstration
30 Jul 2014 at 09:26hrs | Views
THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has withheld examination results for 12 students pending finalisation of a disciplinary hearing that is scheduled to commence today in connection with their alleged disorderly conduct.
The 12 are part of students who participated in a demonstration in March this year against a decision by lecturers to stop parallel and Masters degree lectures in protest over outstanding salaries.
Nust's second semester examination results for the academic year 2013/14 were released at the beginning of this month, but the students who are all in their final year had their results withdrawn even though they paid their fees.
Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (Zicosu) president Farai Mteliso who is also set to be charged alongside 11 others yesterday confirmed the latest development.
"What is surprising us is that the demonstration happened in March but it took them three months to summon us. We received their summon letters late this month and they withheld our results pending tomorrow's disciplinary action," said Mteliso.
"They allege that we were disturbing the university's business. What is the primary business of a university if students had to go for a month without lectures? We never disturbed the university's business but facilitated their business because after our two day demonstration lectures resumed."
The Zicosu president said they were also being accused of denigrating the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lindela Ndlovu through songs they chanted.
"If we uttered any vulgar words against the VC we were going to be arrested because there were law enforcement agents, anti-riot police both in uniform and those in plain clothes. They want to victimise us because they don't want to be challenged," he said.
Mteliso said they are going to challenge in court any university action that would affect them after the hearing.
Nust director of information and public relations Felix Moyo said: "The issue is still under discussion and if they say it's an allegation come and watch the video. I will not give the university's position as we have a video to base on," said Moyo.
The 12 are part of students who participated in a demonstration in March this year against a decision by lecturers to stop parallel and Masters degree lectures in protest over outstanding salaries.
Nust's second semester examination results for the academic year 2013/14 were released at the beginning of this month, but the students who are all in their final year had their results withdrawn even though they paid their fees.
Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (Zicosu) president Farai Mteliso who is also set to be charged alongside 11 others yesterday confirmed the latest development.
"What is surprising us is that the demonstration happened in March but it took them three months to summon us. We received their summon letters late this month and they withheld our results pending tomorrow's disciplinary action," said Mteliso.
"They allege that we were disturbing the university's business. What is the primary business of a university if students had to go for a month without lectures? We never disturbed the university's business but facilitated their business because after our two day demonstration lectures resumed."
The Zicosu president said they were also being accused of denigrating the institution's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lindela Ndlovu through songs they chanted.
"If we uttered any vulgar words against the VC we were going to be arrested because there were law enforcement agents, anti-riot police both in uniform and those in plain clothes. They want to victimise us because they don't want to be challenged," he said.
Mteliso said they are going to challenge in court any university action that would affect them after the hearing.
Nust director of information and public relations Felix Moyo said: "The issue is still under discussion and if they say it's an allegation come and watch the video. I will not give the university's position as we have a video to base on," said Moyo.
Source - chronicle
