Five University of Zimbabwe students Tinashe Chisaira (student representative council (SRC) vice president), Kokerai Murombo (SRC Treasurer), James Katso, Zecharia Mushawatu and Gilbert Sibanda were suspended indefinitely on the 4th of April. They were immediately escorted out of the university campus and they were charged with deformation of character.
Their charge and suspension emanated from the students misuse of a photo they were taken with the university’s Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura on the 24th of March. The students are alleged to have used the photo in a campaign newsletter on campus which was posted on face book and other social networks
Acquittal For Masvingo Student Activists:
Five Masvingo student activists, Brighton Ramusi, Prosper Tiringindi, Zivanai Muzorodzi, Godfrey Kurauone and Brian Chimwayi appeared in court on the 5th of April before a Masvingo Magistrate for continuation of their trial. They were facing charges of public violence which were later changed to assault as defined in section 89 of the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
After spending the past two months attending court sessions, four of the five activists Brighton Ramusi, Zivanai Muzorodzi, Godfrey Kurauone and Brian Chimwayi were acquitted today. However, the case continues for Prosper Tiringindi who will appear on the 11th of April for judgment.
Their case emanated from challenging failure by Masvingo Polytechnic College authorities to refund students who enrolled for a tourism program that suffered a still birth. After initially advertising the introduction of this department and accepting payment from students, the authority have now made an about turn by scrapping plans to have the department and seems to be uninterested in refunding the students
Great Zimbabwe University Student Activist Convicted Again:
A Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) student activist Prosper Tiringindi was convicted by a Masvingo magistrate Mr. Mudzongachiso on the 11th of April. He was convicted on charges of assaulting Masvingo Polytechnic College Principal, Mr. Nyamukapa. Tiringindi was being charged together with Brighton Ramusi, Zivanai Muzorodzi, Godfrey Kurauone and Brian Chimwayi.
The four were acquitted last week after the court felt that there was no evidence linking them to the case. The five student activists were facing charges of public violence which were later changed to assault under section 89 of the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23). Delivering judgment today, Mr. Mudzongachiso ordered Prosper Tiringindi to pay a fine of $150.00 before the 31st of April, he was also warned not to commit another offence otherwise he would be sent to prison.
The five students were arrested on the 2nd of February at Masvingo Polytechnic campus after challenging Masvingo Polytechnic College authorities to refund students who enrolled for a Tourism and Hospitality program that suffered a still birth. After initially advertising the introduction of this department and accepting payment from students, the authorities decided to abandon the program. This conviction comes on the heel of another conviction. On 16th of February, Tiringindi was convicted by a Masvingo magistrate for assaulting the Great Zimbabwe Dean of students while he was Secretary General of the Students Representative Council.
Application for stay of community service granted:
High Court Judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi has granted Welcome Zimuto and five civic society activists Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Antoneta Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara and Edson Chakuma their appeal for stay of community service this morning.
After Magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini found the six guilty on charges of Conspiracy to commit public violence as defined in section 188 as read with section 36 of the Criminal Law (codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] on the 19th of March, the six were sentenced to twenty-four months in custody of which twelve months were suspended for five years on condition that they don’t commit a similar offence.
The other twelve months were suspended on condition that they pay a US$500 fine and perform four hundred and twenty hours of community service at their nearest government institution. They made an appeal to suspend community service whilst waiting for the High Court to hear their appeal against both conviction and sentence. The appeal has been granted after the six had already started their community service and had served two weekends after Mr. Jarabini had ruled that community service should continue as he deemed their high court appeal to have no merit and chance of success.
Post published in: News