BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) CUT Chapter and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) have condemned the eviction of students from on-campus accommodation at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), alleging that the residences are being cleared to accommodate delegates attending the ZANU PF 23rd National People’s Conference.

Students were reportedly removed from university hostels and relocated to Chinhoyi High School, with the university citing renovations as the reason for the move.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, 11 August, ZINASU CUT Chapter chairman Hillary Masango described the decision as an autocratic directive issued at short notice. He accused university management of disregarding students’ welfare and treating them as secondary to administrative interests.

ZINASU said the abrupt relocation was carried out without adequate consultation and warned that moving university students into a high school facility could compromise their safety, study routines and general welfare.

The union also questioned the suitability of the alternative accommodation, arguing that high school infrastructure is not designed to meet the academic and residential needs of university students.

The controversy comes ahead of the ZANU PF 23rd National People’s Conference, scheduled to take place at CUT in Mashonaland West Province from 12 to 17 October 2026. Between 3,500 and 4,000 delegates are reportedly expected to attend.

Although CUT has cited renovations as the official reason for the relocation, ZINASU and other stakeholders allege that the hostels are being cleared to accommodate conference delegates.

ZINASU further argued that the decision undermines parental confidence, noting that many parents make significant financial sacrifices to secure safe accommodation for their children. The union said students should not be forced to explain to their parents why they have been removed from residences for which they had already paid.

ARTUZ interim secretary-general Munyaradzi Masiyiwa also expressed concern over the eviction of students, including those who had fully paid their accommodation fees and final-year students engaged in dissertations and research projects.

ARTUZ described the decision as an attack on students’ right to education and dignity.

“We are particularly disturbed that this eviction affects fully paid-up students, including final year students working on dissertations and research projects,” Masiyiwa said. “This is a direct attack on the right to education and the dignity of our young people.”

The teachers’ union urged the ruling party to demonstrate its commitment to education by holding political conferences at venues that do not disrupt students or interfere with learning.

“You cannot build a nation by manufacturing pain and instability for the very young people who are supposed to lead it tomorrow,” ARTUZ said.

Masiyiwa said students who had paid for university accommodation should be allowed to occupy their residences for the duration of the semester. He warned that the relocation could expose students to additional financial pressure, insecurity and academic disruption.

ARTUZ called on CUT management to immediately provide safe and decent alternative accommodation at the university’s expense, ensure that no student suffers academic prejudice, particularly final-year students, and guarantee that public universities will not be used in ways that disadvantage students during political events.

“Education is a public good. Tertiary institutions must remain centres of learning, not collateral for political convenience,” ARTUZ said.

The union pledged its solidarity with CUT students and called for the decision to be reversed, insisting that students should be treated humanely and their academic interests protected.