On the 15th of February 2012, The ZINASU President, Secretary General and a member of the Union were arrested while addressing students at Midlands State University (MSU). They were detained at Gweru Central Police Station. The three appeared in court on February 17, 2012 charged with assault and violation of POSA. The charges arose from addressing students without giving notice to the police and allegedly assaulting MSU security guards. It later turned out that it was the guards who had assaulted the union leaders. They were released on free bail and the matter was postponed to March 02, 2012. Since then the trio have been attending court.
The arrest of Union Leaders is politically motivated as it came soon after the launch of the “final force campaign” which aimed at mobilizing students for massive demonstrations in reaction to the government’s failure to pay for students on the cadetship scheme. Musokeri was arrested on the 28th of September 2012, for failing to appear at a Magistrates Court in Gweru in connection to charges preferred on him, under the draconian POSA. Tryvine spent thirty three days in detention at Hwahwa before being granted bail on the 31st of October.
Believe Tapera Vice President of ZINASU was suspended at MSU for writing a protest letter to the local daily newspaper demanding the release of Tryvine Musokeri. He is yet to appear before the University disciplinary committee.
The SST notes with great concern the upsurge in the arrests, intimidation and harassment of student activists ahead of the Constitution Referendum and the pending general elections. By arresting and intimidating the leaders are denied their right to represent and participate in these national processes. We urge the inclusive government to maintain peace and open up democratic space as the country approach polls.
Post published in: News