The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on Saturday secured the release on free bail of Advance Musoki, a National University of Science and Technology (NUST) student graduate, who was arrested on Friday during the university’s graduation ceremony for allegedly protesting against President Robert Mugabe’s government’s failure to create employment opportunities.
According to the (ZLHR), attorney Mehluli Dube secured Musoki’s release from police custody.
In a statement, the ZLHR said, “The 23 year-old Musoki, allegedly stood up during the NUST graduation ceremony held on Friday 04 November 2016 and uttered the words ‘mabasa ngaadzoke president (jobs should be available president)’ three times.”
He was charged with committing criminal nuisance in contravention of Section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
He is the fourth student to be arrested for demanding jobs from the president at a graduation ceremony.
Three graduating students at the University of Zimbabwe – Tonderai Dombo, Thembinkosi Rushwaya and Alexander Mukamba – protested in front of President Robert Mugabe recently demanding jobs saying the majority of college and university graduates are unemployed due to the current harsh economic situation in the country.
They told VOA Studio 7 soon after their release from police custody that they never they would never come out of the protest alive as the Zimbabwean government has been of late clamping down on protesters unhappy about lack of jobs, Mr. Mugabe’s leadership and several other issues.
At the same time, attorneys Marufu Mandevere and Kudzayi Erick Kadzere of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have petitioned the High Court seeking an order compelling Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe Hon. Jacob Mudenda from ejecting Mutasa Central constituency legislator Trevor Trevor Saruwaka from attending Parliament business while wearing a jacket bearing the country’s national flag.
Saruwaka caused commotion in parliament recently when he attended a session wearing a jacket with Zimbabwe’s national flag colors.
In the commotion, some female members of the House of Assembly claimed that they were fondled in some “sensitive parts” of their bodies.