Statement |  The MDC is yet again appalled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police riot wing’s heavy handedness, this time on defenseless National University of Science and Technology (NUST) students on Monday, 26 February 2018 resulting in more than 60 students being arrested and injured.

The students’ ‘crime’ was to demonstrate in pursuit of their constitutional right of access to education after they have not been learning for 4 straight weeks.

The students, some of whom are paying rentals and commuting daily to the campus have been robbed of valuable learning time. As MDC we stand in solidarity with all NUST students.

Government was well aware of the standoff pitting lecturers and university authorities. A breakthrough into the impasse was not in sight, hence the protests.

The brutal reaction of police was on full display as usual. Video footage of water cannon tankers rolling and advancing on unarmed students and riot police raiding houses at Selborne Park to sniff out students is heart wrenching.

Some members of the MDC Alliance had to intervene and assisted students to access medical facilities and footed some of the bills.

It would appear that demonstration is now the only language Government and learning institutions are prepared to understand.

If it was not for the students protest, the strike by lecturers would still be ongoing.

As MDC we strongly appeal to government to expeditiously address issues raised by lecturers and students and not wait for protests to act.

Students are at university for the sole purpose of learning and we believe that this typical knee-jerk reactionary approach by the authorities is not helpful. Moreover, the default mode by the security apparatus to victimize student leaders has to stop.

Mbuso Siso

MDC Deputy National Spokesperson