Martha Leboho Herald Correspondent
There was chaos at Great Zimbabwe University’s Mashava campus last Thursday after students went on a rampage, vandalising and looting property while protesting a $50 increase in fees.

Riot police had to fire tear gas in an attempt to quell the disturbances that started at around 8am as irate students looted and destroyed property at the campus’ dining hall and the regalia shop.

The police and students engaged in a cat-and-mouse game for the first half of the day, forcing university staff to lock themselves in their offices.

Arts and commerce students at the campus were allegedly protesting an “unexplained’’ $50 practical fee which they claimed suddenly started showing on their student portals.

Riot police, who had camped near the dining hall, had a torrid time trying to contain the belligerent students who were pelting them with stones.

By the time more police officers arrived, students had already shattered windows at the dining hall where they also looted cooked food.

The situation later normalised in the afternoon when students began to disperse in different directions under the close gaurd of riot police.

GZU director of information Mr Anderson Chipatiso said his institution was ready to engage students to address their concerns.

He said the extent of the damaged was still to be quantified.

“I can confirm our students are demonstrating at Mashava campus and we are still assessing the situation and the cause,” he said.

“So far, the situation is peaceful and we are working on a resolution.”

Students who spoke to The Herald said learners at GZU were not happy with a host of things they said needed correction.

They accused the university authorities of relegating issues of student welfare to the periphery.

“We are not happy that we pay a lot of money for fees yet essential things at a modern university like ours, like Internet connectivity, remain poor,” said one of the students.

“Imagine there are only two buses that are supposed to ferry 3 000 students from their hostels daily to and from the learning centre.

“The food is also of poor quality considering the fees we pay.

“They must do something otherwise this problem will be hard to rectify.’’

Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (GZU Chapter) chairperson Mr Kelvin Kasiwulaya cautioned against violence, saying dialogue was the best way to handle the problem.

“We as Zicosu we believe in dialogue and not violence, a demonstration is a way of making our grievances heard, but not in a violent manner,” he said.

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