Masvingo Polytechnic Principal severely jabbed by students over exam fees

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Masvingo Polytechnic Principal Mr Claver Nyamukapa was last Thursday severely assaulted by students who were protesting the examination fees the college had ordered them to pay.

The students were told they should pay the US$190 exam fees by Friday and went on a rampage that only ended when riot police were called in.

The students also beat up a security guard who intervened to save Mr Nyamu-kapa. The guard was subsequently hospitalised.

The assault occurred after the students went around the campus chanting revolutionary songs and denigrating the college. When Mr Nyamukapa asked them what the problem was, they beat him up.

The security guard — who saved the principal from further attack — was rounded on and also kicked and punched and was still admitted at Masvingo General Hospital at the weekend.

Mr Nyamukapa sustained bodily bruises. Riot police had to be called in to quell the disturbances, but it could not be established at the time of writing how many — if any — arrests had been made.

When The Herald visited the college on Friday, the atmosphere was tense and a few students were trying to register for their final exams. Mr Nyamukapa confirmed the assault saying: "They punched and kicked me.

"Others even tried to grab me by the neck by pulling my necktie and I was only saved from further assault by our security guard who came and rescued me.

"If he had not come when he did, I do not know what would have happened.

"I do not even know why they assaulted me because I am not the one who pegs the exam fees as I am only there to implement Government policy.

"They were just angry that we told them that the deadline for payment of examination fees was today (Friday).

"We have been telling them about exam fees since January this year and none bothered to pay.

"It is shocking that they chose to assault me. Now I am no longer feeling secure here as anything can happen now," a shaken Mr Nyamukapa said.

He said the students had vented their fury on the security guard who had rescued him from further assault.

"They severely beat up one of the college’s security guards who intervened to stop them from assaulting me further.

"The guard is now in hospital. I believe some of the assailants are not even college students," Mr Nyamukapa added.

Some students at institutions of higher learning have been battling to pay tuition, accommodation and other fees, saying the amounts they were being asked to pay were too high.