UZ students challenge expulsion

UZ students challenge expulsion

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By Staff Reporter

THREE University of Zimbabwe students have filed papers with the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of sections of the University of Zimbabwe Act.

They contend that the Act infringes on their rights, specifically that of freedom of assembly.

The part of the Act under contention -- Ordinance 30 -- deals with disciplinary matters.

The University of Zimbabwe recently suspended and expelled several students following demonstrations over tuition fees.

Collin Chibango, a member of the UZ Student Representative Council said Monday: "The ordinance is unconstitutional, it takes away our right to assembly and we will be challenging it in court on Tuesday.

"We will also be filing another application challenging our expulsion."

Chibango, Mfundo Mlilo and Wellington Mahohoma were expelled for leading demonstrations against a shock 100 percent fees hike.

Mlilo said: "If the challenge sails through, it would be a victory against the state's willingness to silince the students through some draconian pieces of legislation. This will also be the first legal challenge of the University of Zimbabwe Amendment Act since its enactment in 1991."

Meanwhile 48 students leaders from university and tertiary learning institutions around the country were arrested after they brought down President Robert Mugabe's portrait during the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu ) congress in Harare last week.

The students are said to have resolved to tear down Mugabe's portrait as they felt that he was an illegitimate leaders after rigging the 2002 polls.
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