Police Brutality…as State machinery pounces on defenceless students.(06-02-07)

students arrested in Bulawayo today (Tuesday 08), arrested and brutally assaulted following a protest over exorbitant fees and the deteriorating standards of education. Students from all colleges and Universities in Bulawayo had convened for a historic rally at Bulawayo Polytechnic College where they resolved to march into town to table their grievances before the Provincial Governor, who is the official representative of the President in that Province.

ZINASU Provincial Co-ordinating Committee, led by National University of Science and Technology (NUST) SRC President, Clever Bere, Tafadzwa Chengewa, Hillside Teacher`s College SRC President, Cosmas Gwature, United College of Education SRC President and Blessing Vava SRC President Bulawayo Polytechnic, spearheaded the protests. Edwin Gurira, SRC President at Chinhoyi University of Technology, and Milward Makwejere, ZINASU National Executive Member, were the guest speakers.

Washington Katema of the Zimbabwe National Students Union reports that as the unarmed students were marching into the city centre, police armed with AK 47 assault rifles, tear gas and rubber truncheons descended upon them. In the melee, Edwin Gurira broke his leg. One of the students had her jaw dislocated. The two are currently at Mpilo General Hospital. The unsanitary and dilapidated Bulawayo central Police Station Cells are overcrowded with the 120 students. Some of the male students detained have been placed in female cells where there was space. Among those arrested is NUST SRC vice president Mehluli Dube and Zimbabwe Christian Students Movement, National Chairperson, Lawrence Mashungu.