Nine (9) Morgan Zintec Teachers’ College students who were arrested and charged with gathering with the intention of promoting public violence have been granted bail.

The students were arrested after they allegedly met to draft a petition challenging a decision that forces them to repeat their training in 2021.

By gathering, the nine student teachers reportedly violated section 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification&Reform) Act which bars meeting with the intention to promote public violence.

The students were being represented by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Kossan Ncube.

The students appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro charged with participating in a public gathering with intent to cause public violence.

The nine are Walter Muzamani, Steven Mashal Mariwo, Enock Masasu,Chipo Ngirandi, Sarudzai Nkezana, Fortunate Mukondo, Monica Mutegude, Charity Chakona and Lucia Mafara.

They were all freed on $2000 bail each and are expected in court on January 19 next year.

Mrs Idah Maromo, prosecuting, had it that on December 4 Morgan Zintec College received a memorandum from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education on the 2021 learning calendar.

The State also had it that on the same day, the letter was sent to school heads saying the teaching practices for Intake 50 and ECD period had been extended to January and February next year.

On December 7 at around 7am, the students drawn from various primary schools in Harare gathered at the college with an intention to stage a demonstration.

Police intervened and managed to arrest the nine while others escaped.

Their arrest attracted criticism from human rights defenders, students unions and the opposition.

Some learning institutions suspended this year’s calendar over the coronavirus pandemic and this does not sit well with some students.