Students join the chorus

Branding President Robert Mugabe a dark force who threatens their future, several hundred Zimbabwean students yesterday added their voices to the clamour for the 93-year-old autocrat to quit.

Classes at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare were cancelled and examinations postponed as students raged over Mugabe’s insistence on staying in office, defying opposition from the military, his party and the public.

“Mugabe must pave the way for a new leader,” student leader Shepherd Raradza told AFP on the university campus.

“Our exams have been deferred, but what is the purpose of getting a degree if you don’t find a job?

“We are bitter and disappointed by Mugabe’s speech yesterday – that is why we are demonstrating.”

“We are standing in solidarity with our army. Mugabe must resign as soon as possible, things are not working because of his ruinous policies,” said law student Chipo Yemurai.

Students waved the national flag and chanted “Mugabe must go” and “forward with our soldiers” at the peaceful protest.

Some students carried placards praising the army intervention and hailing military chief Constantino Chiwenga.

“We salute you commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces” read some placards.

Others read “Bring back our VP” in reference to former vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose sacking by Mugabe triggered the political crisis.

“As students, we are the vanguard of this revolution and we want to urge all universities to take part in demonstrations against Mugabe,” said Percy Kina, a 21-year-old veterinary student.

“We have to take action.”