600 UZ medical students booted out over fees protest
AT least 600 medical students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) were yesterday booted out of their halls of residence and barred from entering the campus after they protested over a recent 100% fee hike from $450 to $900 per semester.UZ medical school registrar Sergeant Chevo confirmed the development.
“The Vice-Chancellor met the student executive council on 15 June, 2017 and discussed among other things, the issue of academic fees for medical students. It was clearly pointed out that medical students pay $450 per semester of 15 weeks. In this regard, for 3rd year medical students’ 30-week semester, they should pay $900. The Vice-Chancellor agreed that the medical students could apply for a payment plan and pay the fees while they attend lessons,” he said.
Chevo added that the institution then ordered the students to vacate the campus after they demonstrated at Vice-Chancellor Levy Nyagura’s office.
“The University has now made a decision that all medical students should move out of the halls of residence on campus and off campus with immediate effect.
“All medical students, therefore, are directed to vacate the halls of residence with immediate effect and by no later than 13:15 hours today, June 26, 2017.”
Students’ union secretary-general Ignatius Mukwichi accused Nyangura of being heartless and vowed to continue fighting until the fee hike was reversed.
“We have been peaceful, but they have resorted to intimidation and arresting our colleagues. We will not tolerate this nonsense. We will fight until the fees fall,” Mukwichi said.
“We are not going anywhere. The VC must listen to us and attend to our issues. He is behaving as if he does not live in Zimbabwe.”
This is not the first time that students from the medical school have protested against fee increases by authorities as in January, they did the same after a 35% tuition fee hike across departments.
The increase would have seen students paying as much as $1 000 per semester at a time when they were reports of massive dropouts in higher and tertiary education institutions.
Meanwhile, #ThisFlag movement leader, Evan Mawarire was arrested yesterday after joined the protesting students.
In a video sent from Avondale Police Station where he was still detained last night, Mawarire said he was arrested while praying with the students.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
