Students allege security agents bombed UZ

HARARE - The Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) yesterday claimed elements from the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) had bombed the New Complex 4 Dining Hall.

Zinasu said a huge and frightening ball of fire engulfed the building destroying property worth trillions of Zimbabwean dollars after a suspected petrol bomb was thrown into the building at around 2200 hours Tuesday night.

Students had to vacate campus residence fearing for their safety. "The act is a 'direct attack on the students' right to learn," a student at the university said.

"Students constitute the largest reservoir of human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, hence a prime target of bombing by the brutal and despotic regime of Robert Mugabe."

The UZ information and public relations director, Taurwi Mabeza said the fire started early Wednesday morning.

"It is still premature to say a lot. We don’t know what caused the fire and police investigations are still in progress," she said.

Police spokesperson Andrew Phiri said the police were looking into the matter as "malicious injury to property" He said police investigations have so far revealed that an unidentified student raised alarm saying he had seen fire coming out from the building.

"It is still not yet clear what could have caused the fire but we are still investigating to ascertain whether it was an electrical fault or as a result of malcontents," said Phiri.

But the students think the government had something to do with the incident.

The government, which blames the opposition MDC for carrying out a spate of bombings, has been fingered for orchestrating the bombings to create a situation where it imposes unofficial curfews and strike fear into the hearts of the ordinary people.

Four police stations, a passenger train and shops have been petrol bombed over the past month.

"Last month they petrol bombed a Bulawayo bound train which had more than 750 passengers," said Zinasu. "Surprisingly, more pro-democracy activists have been arrested and barbarously tortured in connection with the terrorist acts by the state security agents."

The students also claim the army has since joined in the attacks and soldiers are "indiscriminately imposing barrack gangsterism on innocent civilians". Scores of victims are receiving medical attention from different medical centers after being attacked by the armed and drunk military officers in the country. 

"Zinasu condemns in strongest the possible terms the continued use of banditry and guerrilla terrorism tactics by the government. It calls upon all patriotic citizens to continue fighting for social justice, democracy, rule of law, human rights culture, academic freedoms among other fundamentals."