ZIMBABWE Republic Police (ZRP) on Wednesday 14 September 2022 arrested more University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students as government intensified an onslaught against aggrieved students who embarked on demonstrations to protest the steep hiking of tuition fees.
ZRP officers on Wednesday 14 September 2022 arrested five UZ students at the learning institution’s Mt Pleasant campus in Harare and detained them at Avondale Police Station.
The five students namely Tinotenda Mangana, Hazel Gwande, Tanyaradzwa Nzvimbo, Tinovimba Musengi and Charles Moyo, are represented by Idirashe Chikomba, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Paidamoyo Saurombe of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Taurai Manuwere on Wednesday 14 September 2022 ended the two-day detention of two UZ students Tinotenda Mwenje and Thelma Nzero by granting them free bail when they appeared before him at Harare Magistrates Court.
Mwenje and Nzero were arrested on Monday 12 September 2022 together with 12 other UZ students and detained at Avondale Police Station after they were accused of staging a protest at their Mt Pleasant campus against the university’s decision to astronomically hike tuition fees.
Mwenje and Nzero were charged with disorderly conduct in a public place as defined in section 41(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors alleged that the duo unlawfully and intentionally engaged in disorderly or riotous conduct intending to provoke a breach of the peace or realising that there is a real risk or possibility that a breach of the peace may be provoked.
Mwenje and Nzero, prosecutors claimed, moved around UZ campus together with 12 other students singing and behaving in a disorderly manner and thereby interrupting business at the university.
The 12 students namely Havanna Mtetwa, Natasha Dhliwayo, Ropafadzo Mutangadura, Mufaro Vhutuza, Fahima Agija, Tsungai Chitodha, Beyond Siwela, David Musasa, Godknows Zabhura, Owen Mashaya, Zana Tinashe and Fletcher Katewe were released from police custody on Tuesday 13 September 2022 after paying admission of guilty fines amounting to ZWL2 000.
ENDS
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