Beatrice Kumbana
Courts and Crime Reporter
Harare — The arrest of six University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) last Monday has sparked widespread public outcry.
The students were detained during protests demanding the postponement of examinations, following over a month of industrial action by lecturers over poor remuneration.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti condemned the university and security officials, stating that the arrests violated constitutional rights to freedom of assembly. In a post on his official X account, Biti wrote:
“The arrest of students at the University of Zimbabwe for peacefully standing in solidarity with their underpaid lecturers is a gross abuse of the constitution. This regime has no care or respect for constitutionalism and the rule of law. It is a pariah, tin-pot republic without shame or honor.”
The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) also denounced the detentions, calling them an infringement of rights. In a statement, ZINASU officials said:
“They took us to the police station, where we were released after being charged with disorderly conduct. We will challenge these baseless charges in court. We were arrested simply for demanding access to quality education from a university that collects full tuition fees yet fails to provide learning services.”
The UZ administration has yet to issue a formal response.
Zim GBC News©️2025