Solusi protest leaders suspended

SOLUSI University has suspended five students for allegedly leading last week’s protests against the introduction of a $90 development levy.

Last week, the students boycotted classes demanding to be addressed by the university’s management over the new levy and anti-riot police were called to disperse them.

Zimbabwe Congress of Students’ Union (Zicosu) secretary general Mr Godknows Mdhari said one of the suspended students is the president of the university’s Student Representative Council, Mr Ashwell Zikhali.

“The five students including the SRC president have been suspended following last week’s demonstration. We’re worried about the victimisation of the students. The students demonstration was peaceful, it was a just a congregation of students demanding an audience on why there was a fees increase. The management should have addressed the students instead of suspending them,” said Mr Mdhari.

He said Zicosu will engage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development over the alleged victimisation of the students.

Mr Mdhari said as far as the students’ body is concerned, the students did not commit any offence as they were exercising their rights.

Solusi University’s Dean of Students Dr Christopher Thebe declined to comment on the matter saying the university will soon issue a press statement.

However, The Chronicle is possession of a letter signed by the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Joel Musvosvi suspending one of the students.

“In light of the grave, alleged misconduct(s) on your part: I hereby suspend you in terms of Section 70 (c) pending your appearance before the Disciplinary Hearing Committee at a date to be advised when you are served with your notice to appear, in terms of the Handbook and via your student e-mail.

“You are hereby instructed to leave the University premises, in keeping with the suspension letter, with immediate effect.

“You shall only be re-admitted on campus and or any of the extension campuses for the purpose of appearing before the referenced committee or upon being exonerated by the same committee of any wrong doing thereafter,” reads part of the letter.—@ nqotshili.