Students plan indefinite class boycott demanding fresh start

Masaraure said; The current state of education is abnormal and yet everyone is trying to normalize an abnormal situation. He said their union is pushing for a mass class boycott which will be complemented by several street protests. Asked if they did not fear victimization he said; This generation is now used to victimization, we have lost a lot and this is our time to gain. Among the demands in the FRESH START campaign is the re-instatement of all students who were expelled, suspended or who dropped out due to problems paying tuition fees. They want government to re-introduce student loan and grant schemes and to cancel all tuition fee debts incurred by students.

Masaraure also said they wanted all colleges in the country to release exam results for students who have failed to pay the exorbitant tuition fees. He said they will also demand the opening of halls of residence at the University of Zimbabwe and other tertiary institutions in the country.

Although ZINASU has for the past few years been crippled by infighting which has seen the emergence of two factions, Masaraure vowed they would up the tempo using different methods until the government of the day comes to the negotiating table. They have set January 2011 as the deadline by which their demands should be met and they have threatened to not let up the pressure to ensure the deadline is met.

Meanwhile two students arrested two weeks ago in Bulawayo remain locked up in remand prison. Archford Mudzengi and Samson Nxumalo were accused of violating their bail conditions set in 2008 following an NCA demonstration. Masaraure told us the students, one of whom stays in Hwange, did not have transport money to keep traveling to the designated police station. They will next appear in court on the 16th October.