Gvt accused of victimizing and assaulting students

 HARARE — The Student Solidarity Trust (SST) has accused the state of continuing to victimize students who dare speak out against appalling conditions at institutions of learning.

The Trust said the deliberate and systematic attacks on students, and indeed the rest of the players in the pro-democracy movement confirm that free and fair elections in Zimbabwe would not be possible as the government is intolerable to dissent.

In its monthly state of the higher education sector report which included pictures of students allegedly assaulted by police in Harare, the SST said the authorities at various institutions of higher learning continue to victimize students who dare challenge the status quo by clamouring for the improvement of the students' welfare. 

“Suspension letters continue to be distributed like confetti at a wedding, and this month saw the suspension of five students from the Bulawayo Polytechnic,” it said.

”The torture and unlawful arrests of student activists exercising their right to free speech and free assembly is a blatant violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (Article 7) which states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The attacks also fly in the face of SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections in the region, which was adopted in Mauritius in 2004, which states that SADC member states shall adhere to the principles of full participation of the citizens in the political process, freedom of association and political tolerance amongst others.”

On 13 February, police in Bulawayo were accused of heavily descending on students who were demonstrating against the collapse of the education system in the country. More than 100 students took part in the march while several students were injured in the process. They included Zimbabwe National Association of Student Unions secretary for gender Privilege Muting who sustained a broken arm after she was assaulted by riot police in the demonstration.

On the same day, armed riot police in Harare were accused of assaulting and injuring more than 70 students who were also demonstrating in the city.

Elsewhere, in a move seen as calculated to instil fear in students, Bulawayo Polytechnic College suspended five students following a demonstration staged by ZINASU. The five are accused of inciting other students to revolt against the administration.

Meanwhile the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions says it deplores the heavy handed way with which police have dealt with student protests in Bulawayo, saying a heavily pregnant student sustained a broken arm.

“The students were genuinely voicing their concern over high fees that are being charged by tertiary institutions and the lecturer exodus that has hit learning institutions. The ZCTU is of the firm belief that these are legitimate concerns as students cannot just sit by and do nothing while the standards of education continue to deteriorate. Once again the lawlessness amongst police officers has been displayed,” read a statement released by ZCTU secretary general, Wellington Chibebe.