Clever Bere, the President of Zimbawe National Students' Union ZINASU was amongst five students beaten and arrested during the protest, which has been organised to highlight the desperate state of the education system in Zimbabwe.
No end to violence
Wes Streeting, NUS President said: “It is clear from the aggression exhibited against students in Zimbabwe that the power sharing deal has not led to an end to violence. NUS urges the international community not to divert attention away from the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe.
“We were honoured that Clever Bere, the ZINASU President, was able to visit the UK last year as a guest of NUS. Following our discussions, I continue to be extremely concerned about the welfare of students in Zimbabwe.”
Desperate state
In September, the President of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe, Takavafira Zhou, was illegally arrested and held in solitary confinement for four days without charge before finally being released.
Schools and colleges are in a desperate state while the country’s universities are yet to open two months after the initial opening day, with most of them having to postpone at least three times.
“Young people in Zimbabwe are being starved of education due to the failed policies of a government which has no legitimacy and continues to abuse human rights," says said Tony Dykes, ACTSA Director.
"We indicated hope with caution for the negotiated agreement between political parties. It is vital there be the right and freedom to organise and demonstrate as well as receive an education. We very much hope the SADC mediation can break the deadlock and that the wishes of the Zimbabwean people can be heard and acted on."
Sign the petition
NUS and ACTSA handed in the ZINASU Memorandum to the Embassy of Zimbabwe in London on 25 October and are encouraging students in the UK to sign a petition calling on the Zimbabwean government to cease the use of aggressive force, and drop the charges placed on the students involved.
Help students in Zimbabwe by signing our petition.