Clever Bere decries interference in ZINASU

Ahoy Union,

Once again I great you in the highest spirit and name of our revolution for academic freedoms! At the same time I forward my profound gratitude to the genuine union’s sons and daughters who have remained true to the union under these trying times.

Let me in the same conduit take this opportunity to congratulate, the new Chinhoyi University Students Representative Council in the just ended elections which took place on the 8th of October 2009. The results are a cause of celebration for the union especially under the unfolding interferences in our vibrant organization – the new crop of these leaders is known, tried and tested leaders committed to the struggle of liberating our education from the dyers state of collapse.

On behalf of the union I congratulate the newly elected president, comrade Kasongo Choose who was elected with a total vote margin of 455 against the Zanu PF sponsored ZICOSU candidate, Wadzanayi Chigwa trailing with 338 despite heavy vote stuffing and lastly, the Arnold Tsunga – Jacob Mafume and crew sponsored candidate Irvine Kunaka registering a meager 66 vote, pouring to drain huge sums of money used to print gloss posters for their candidate. The spoiled ballot papers (69) actually exceeded the duo’s candidate, pegged at 66 votes.

The new Secretary General, comrade Luke Maenzanise was elected with 372 votes, followed by ZICOSU at 172 and again the Tsunga-Mafume sponsored candidate Garnet Murenga who polled 157 votes. Comrades I am extremely proud of your historic fate, winning 16 of the 18 contested SRC and SRA posts.

Comrades, the union remains in full solidarity with you as you assume office. I should also be quick to highlight that remain wary of the forces of aggression, mainly led by the people who sponsored the candidates you were contesting. There will be massive monies which will be exchanging hands from Geneva where Mr Tsunga is based and definitely from comrade Jacob Mafume who is now an advisor in the Prime Minister’s office, of cause channeled through their fronts, currently based at the Crisis Coalition offices.

Comrades as I address the union, we are heavily concerned why people like Mr Mafume who are in the PM’s office are funding the destabilization of the union and using the name of the MDC-T when furthering their person or institutional goals. Their candidates were using a campaign banner of (ZINASU – Tsvangirai).

The union strongly believes that such tendencies are aimed at soiling the name of the PM, the defeat of their sponsored candidate is portrayed as the defeat of the MDC. But this is not surprising for we are aware of comrade in the party, such as Denis Murira, who have been calling our colleagues, celebrating how their security details have been employed at numerous occasions to attack the ZINASU leadership which led to some of our comrades hospitalized.

Fellow, student leaders remain on guard of these functionaries, who shall frequently employ calculated moves through financing upheavals in the union. Be wary of the donors whose funds are being abused to turn the union upside down and remain true to the call of national duty which is mainly to protect the students’ interests.

We also call upon the PM, to crack the weep on his employees who continue to interfere with the union’s activities. The government has no business in undermining unions, but rather its role is to ensure that it provides space for the unions to raise their legitimate and genuine concerns.

Once again and on behalf of the National Executive Council, General Council and the Revolutionary students of Zimbabwe, I wish the new SRC at Chinhoyi a successful term of office in their revolutionary commitment of defending the rights of the suffering students. To president Choose Kasongo, Secretary General Luke Maenzanise, the entire SRC we are firmly behind you.

Long live the struggles for academic freedom! Long live ZINASU! 

Clever Bere

National President
Zimbabwe National Students Union

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