Students demand audience with Minister

Posted March 24th, 2009 by crisis

More than 200 students from tertiary institutions around Harare led by Zimbabwe National Student’s Union (ZINASU) President, Brilliant Dube and Secretary General, Lovemore Chinoputsa today, 8 September 2009 staged a peaceful march in Harare demanding an audience with Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Stan Mudenge over exorbitant fees and the continued neglect of educational institutions by the inclusive government.

‘The main aim of this march was to seek audience with Minister Mudenge over exorbitant fees charged in state institutions, the inadequacy of student grants which cater for less than 5% of students nationwide and the repressive ordinances responsible for the expulsion of student activists’, said Ms. Dube during an interview with The Catalyst. The students marched peacefully from corner Julius Nyerere and Park Street to the New Government Complex where they handed in a petition to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Stan Mudenge.
According to the delegation which met Mr. Mudenge, the Minister exhibited knowledge of the unaffordability of the tuition fees and assured the student leaders that their concerns would be addressed. He however stated that tertiary institutions were instructed not to dismiss students or defer their studies on the basis of non-payment of tuition fees.

Rights lawyers, WOZA activists acquitted

Posted May 18th, 2009 by crisis

 

The two human rights lawyers, Roselyn Hanzi and Tawanda Zhuwarara and eight activists from the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) whose trial resumed today, 28 May 2009 were acquitted by Magistrate, Moses Murendo when they appeared at the Rotten Row Magistrates Court in Harare.
The ten were facing unsubstantiated charges of contravening Section 37 (1) (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by taking part in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry following a demonstration by WOZA activists on the 10th of February 2009. The two lawyers were caught in the cross fire while returning to the Fourth Street offices near Parliament building after lunch. The trial of the activists began on the 19th of May where the state was accusing them of partaking in an illegal demonstration as they had not informed police in compliance with provisions outlined in the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).    

Bail reporting conditions for journos struck off

Posted May 18th, 2009 by crisis

 

The Magistrates court, represented by Catherine Chimanda struck off bail reporting conditions for The Independent Editor, Vincent Kahiya and News Editor, Constantine Chimakure following an application for relaxation of bail conditions for the veteran journalists. In a previous ruling, the two had been mandated to report to the Harare Central Police Station every Friday as part of their bail conditions.
 
Kahiya and Chimakure were arrested on the 11th of May 2009 for allegedly publishing and communicating falsehoods following an article published in the weekly on the role of the central intelligence and police in the abductions of human rights and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists.

GPA: Views from Gweru and Zvishavane

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition held an Outreach Meeting at Nyaradzai Hall in Zvishavane on the 21st of March 2009 from 1400 to 1700 hours. This meeting was aimed at providing a platform for the marginalized communities to discuss pertinent issues affecting them in their areas and outline expectations from the inclusive government.

GPA: Views from Karoi

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition held a public meeting in Karoi on the 8th of April 2008 at the Karoi Stadium under the topic Hurumende yemubatanidzwa: Zvatinotarisira sevana vemuZimbabwe-  The inclusive government: Expectations of the people of Zimbabwe.