Students arrested over gun found in hostel

ZINASU issued a statement saying the students had met in the room of Blessing Dubi. The discussion centered on demands by college authorities that students who had not paid tuition fees could not access their exam results and consequently could not proceed to the next year.

It was then that 15 college security guards pounced on them accusing them of holding an illegal meeting. The guards beat up the students who initially were able to escape from the room. One hour after the disturbances police arrested Dubi, Robson Ruhanya and Zivanai Muzorodzi, the current Students Representative Council president. ?? At first, the three students thought the police were joking but were shell shocked when four other students were picked up on similar allegations and were quickly whisked away to Masvingo Central Police Station, a ZINASU statement read.

Police allege they found a fire arm in Dubis room. ?Last Thursday more information on the incident filtered through with new reports saying the total number of students arrested had gone up to 10 while another 11 were on the run. The students say the Hostel Warden, a Reverend Gwararauno is the one who got into the room where the students were meeting and was brandishing a gun. When the police arrived the warden turned around and said he had found the students with the gun.??

ZINASU said the students are still being detained at Masvingo Central Police and their lawyers are being denied access to them. Since LAST Thursday the students have also not been able to eat anything. The students union said it is now seeking an audience with the co-Home Affairs Ministers Giles Mutsekwa and Kembo Mohadi. They compared the harassment of their leaders to that of MDC Treasurer General Roy Bennett, who is facing similar trumped-up weapons charges.