The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has strongly criticized what it terms a “systematic campaign of repression” against student activists across the country’s major state universities. This condemnation follows a series of suspensions and expulsions impacting students.
Speaking on Wednesday, ZINASU President Emmanuel Sitima accused higher education institutions of leveraging disciplinary procedures to stifle freedoms protected by the constitution.
Sitima highlighted that students at Midlands State University (MSU), Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have been targeted. Their alleged offenses include organizing peers, participating in WhatsApp group discussions, and showing support for striking lecturers. Sitima stated, “These punitive measures… constitute a flagrant violation of both domestic and and international human rights law.”
He specifically mentioned the dismissal of five MSU students for their mobilization efforts, disciplinary actions at GZU related to online discussions, and the recent suspension of six UZ students for engaging in peaceful protests. Some of the suspended UZ students, he noted, have yet to receive formal hearings.
ZINASU asserts that these actions contravene crucial sections of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, particularly those safeguarding freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Sitima further referenced international legal frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which uphold these fundamental freedoms now allegedly under threat. According to Sitima, “To penalize students for exercising these rights is to betray the fundamental ethos of university education.”
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The ZINASU president has called for the immediate reinstatement of all affected students and an independent investigation into the alleged misuse of university disciplinary processes. He also seeks firm assurances from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education that student rights will be upheld and protected.
Sitima concluded by revealing that ZINASU is collaborating with civil society organizations to formulate a unified response to what the union describes as the “blatant violation” of students’ constitutional freedoms.
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