Heartless UZ fleeces students

Students were supposed to have paid $400 to secure university accommodation by the end of January. A good number of students paid and were assured of this facility. But when they arrived the weekend before the commencement of classes they were told they had no accommodation.

What happened? It seems some people arm twisted and relegated those who paid first, in preference to those who came later, but managed to bribe!

As if that was not enough, the university administration is refusing to refund the payments made by the students who were short-changed, saying it will credit these payments for the next semester. What happens to the money paid in by finalists who are in their final semester? And does the administration understand how much parents and guardians would have suffered to raise this amount?

The students now have to look for ‘extra money’ for alternative accommodation, transport and food. That means the same parents have to ‘pay double’ this semester. The students who are short changed loiter the streets of Mt Pleasant and neighbouring suburbs searching for alternative accommodation, when they are supposed to be in class. The university leadership is heartless.

By refusing to give refunds now, but only towards the August – December semester, the university is profiting by investing the money, at the expense of the students. The case of the over 500 male students who were kicked out of NC3 complex over the disturbances caused by about 20 students is another case in point.

The warden knows the individuals who caused commotion in December and instead of suspending only these, all the students in the hostel have been victimised. Surprisingly, the students have been emasculated so that they cannot revolt, or even plead for fair treatment. The Vice Chancellor, whose contract ended sometime last year, seems less bothered. He is one iron fisted man who despises students with a huge passion. Who do the poor students turn to now? – Capulet Bangobutho, UZ, Harare