University of Zimbabwe students have come out guns blazing, accusing politicians of meddling in students affairs by hijacking a genuine demonstrations against fees hike.
By Moregiven Sithole
Addressing a press conference in the capital on Wednesday, ZINASU President, Alistair Pfunye said it is insensitive for politicians to capitalize on the plight of students to gain limelight.
The attack comes after ThisFlag founder and leader, Pastor Evan Mawarire joined a demonstration by UZ medical students against fees hike.
“ZINASU is deeply worried by the unwarranted, unnecessary and malicious gate crashing of a genuine demonstration by suffering students whose agenda is to access education. The move by Pastor Evan Mawarire to impose himself on a student’s demonstration is highly unappreciated by ZINASU, the UZ Students’ Union, Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leadership and the entire UZ community”, said Pfunye.
He slammed politicians seeking to boost their political profiles on the shoulders of suffering, dis-empowered and poor students whose only wish is to access and enjoy academic freedom.
“Just last semester when the administration first attempted to hike fees for medical students, ZINASU and the UZ SRC held a successful demonstration at main campus and Parirenyatwa, the fees which had been hiked fell.
“However the same happens this semester, Mawarire interferes, students get victimized, get evicted from campus into the cold, studies are disrupted,” fumed Pfunye.
ZINASU said it has devised multifaceted ways of engaging the University authorities to stop the proposed fees hike as well as forcing UZ to allow students to return.
