MIDLANDS State University (MSU) has suspended a second-year
student believed to be behind a social media post calling for the shutdown of
the institution for not addressing the grievances of students.
Kudzai Zimwara, a geography and environmental science
student, was suspended through a letter signed by MSU acting vice-chancellor,
Zandile Doreen Moyo.
“It has come to my attention that you are the source of and
originator of a Whatsapp message calling on students to embark on an illegal
demonstration and shut down Midlands State University. Your message, if heeded
to, poses a serious security threat to the university in that the demonstration
will not only disrupt teaching and learning but will more likely lead to
anarchy and mayhem in the university, wrote Moyo.
She cited a section of the University Act as basis for
suspension pending Zimwara’s appearance before the student disciplinary
committee.
Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) Midlands chapter
chairperson, Tapiwanashe Chiriga, slammed the suspension.
“We believe this is an attempt to silence and instil fear
within students as well as prevent them from asking questions. University is
not primary school where students are afraid of asking critical questions with
regards to their welfare. The grievances that students have must be addressed
and not target those who present them,” he said.
Chiriga also highlighted that his body had formally handed
a petition to the university seeking redress on issues affecting students.
“We have challenges with the exorbitant fees we pay that
our parents are struggling to meet and we have asked the university to review
them downwards. We also have a problem of poor meals at the dining hall.
“Wi-fi at campus is now a problem and we do not want
students to be chased out of lectures and barred from writing exams because
they will not have afforded to raise the high fees. These are the issues we
want the authorities at MSU to address,” he added. Newsday
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