SOME University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students sustained injuries after they were assaulted by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who apprehended them on Monday 12 September 2022 during a protest against the exorbitant increase in tuition fees.
ZRP officers on Monday 12 September 2022 arrested 14 UZ students and detained them at Avondale Police Station after accusing them of staging a protest at their Mt Pleasant campus against the university’s decision to astronomically hike tuition fees.
Some students were left nursing injuries after they were assaulted by the truncheon-wielding ZRP officers.
Lawyers from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who responded to the arrest of the students, were initially denied access to their clients both at UZ and at Avondale Police Station on Monday 12 September 2022 and were only allowed to interview them on Tuesday 13 September 2022 around 1:30 PM.
The 14 students are Havana Mtetwa, Natasha Zhuwaya, Ropafadzo Mutangadura, Mufaro Vhutuza, Fatima Ajida, Fungai Chitodhla, Beyond Wendy Siwela, Thelma Nzero, David Musasa, Godknows Zabwa, Owen Mashaya, Tinashe Zana, Tinotenda Mwenje and Fletcher Katwe.
The UZ students’ right to privacy was violated as their mobile phone handsets were seized and accessed while in detention without their consent.
They are expected to appear in court on Wednesday 14 September 2022.
ENDS
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Kodzero/Amalungelo House
No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
Email: info@zlhr.org.zw
www.zlhr.org.zw
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