News / National
Two student leaders arrested for leading a demo
05 Nov 2011 at 02:38hrs | Views
Two student leaders at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Masvingo were arrested on Thursday after they led a demonstration against officials at the institution who barred them from holding Students Representative Council (SRC) elections.
The students also protested against the deferment of students exams over tuition fees arrears.
Angry students led by Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) provincial spokesperson and GZU SRC, secretary-general, Prosper Tiringindi and Butah Makuvire the Zinasu provincial deputy organising secretary demonstrated at the university.
The student leaders stand accused of leading an unlawful demonstration as well as assaulting university staff including the Dean of Students, Lovemore Chirove, a Ms V Chikodzi, the Deputy Registrar and their secretaries.
Zinasu national treasurer general Zivanai Muzorodzi confirmed the arrests.
"Our two leaders were picked up by police at the college after they led a demonstration demanding the authorities to allow the holding of elections for the sake of leadership renewal.
"They have been adamant and reluctant because they want the old executive which is loyal to them and their political party to continue for another term, but students have said no," said Muzorodzi.
Police were called in to quell the demonstration leading to the arrest of the two.
Muzorodzi blasted the police and university authorities for their heavy handed approach in handling the matter.
"Maladministration and dictatorship has no permanent legs, the voice of the students will prevail. Even if they rope in the heavy handed police force, we will continue to fight for our rights.
It was a simple call of elections for renewal and continuity. The outgoing executive's term is up and we need a new SRC that will lead students," he said.
Muzorodzi said they were not aware of their colleagues' whereabouts as they failed to locate them at Masvingo central police station and other stations in the city.
Their lawyer, Dumisani Hwacha of Hwacha and Ndlovu legal practitioners said he was still looking for them.
"It's true they have been arrested but I can't locate them as yet. I have been to Masvingo Central Police Station and the rural station and they were not there.
We are not sure where they have been taken to but we will continue our bid to locate them," Hwacha said.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake were fruitless as he was not picking up his phone.
The students also protested against the deferment of students exams over tuition fees arrears.
Angry students led by Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) provincial spokesperson and GZU SRC, secretary-general, Prosper Tiringindi and Butah Makuvire the Zinasu provincial deputy organising secretary demonstrated at the university.
The student leaders stand accused of leading an unlawful demonstration as well as assaulting university staff including the Dean of Students, Lovemore Chirove, a Ms V Chikodzi, the Deputy Registrar and their secretaries.
Zinasu national treasurer general Zivanai Muzorodzi confirmed the arrests.
"Our two leaders were picked up by police at the college after they led a demonstration demanding the authorities to allow the holding of elections for the sake of leadership renewal.
"They have been adamant and reluctant because they want the old executive which is loyal to them and their political party to continue for another term, but students have said no," said Muzorodzi.
Police were called in to quell the demonstration leading to the arrest of the two.
Muzorodzi blasted the police and university authorities for their heavy handed approach in handling the matter.
"Maladministration and dictatorship has no permanent legs, the voice of the students will prevail. Even if they rope in the heavy handed police force, we will continue to fight for our rights.
It was a simple call of elections for renewal and continuity. The outgoing executive's term is up and we need a new SRC that will lead students," he said.
Muzorodzi said they were not aware of their colleagues' whereabouts as they failed to locate them at Masvingo central police station and other stations in the city.
Their lawyer, Dumisani Hwacha of Hwacha and Ndlovu legal practitioners said he was still looking for them.
"It's true they have been arrested but I can't locate them as yet. I have been to Masvingo Central Police Station and the rural station and they were not there.
We are not sure where they have been taken to but we will continue our bid to locate them," Hwacha said.
Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake were fruitless as he was not picking up his phone.
Source - Daily News
