Midlands State University Suspends Student Leaders: African Student Unions Demand Reinstatement Amid Growing Repression Concerns

Harare, Zimbabwe – As an African student, I write this story with a heavy heart, pained by yet another attack on the voices of my peers. Midlands State University (MSU) in Zimbabwe has suspended five student leaders—Tanaka J. Sibanda, Nester Moyo, Keegan Mathe, Takunda Mhuka, and Fanuel Gona—for simply wearing t-shirts of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and recruiting members on campus. This decision, made without a hearing, has ignited fury across the continent, prompting the All-Africa Students’ Union (AASU) and the Southern African Students’ Union (SASU) to demand their immediate reinstatement.

The Incident: A Blow to Freedom

Last week, these five students were stripped of their academic standing by MSU authorities, accused of breaching university regulations. Their “crime”? Displaying their affiliation with ZINASU—an organization that has long fought for our rights as students in Zimbabwe—and encouraging others to join the cause. To be punished without even a chance to defend themselves is not just a violation of due process; it’s a slap in the face to every young African who dares to speak up. As someone who understands the struggles of student life on this continent, I feel the sting of this injustice personally. Our campuses should be sanctuaries of free thought, not battlegrounds for silencing dissent.

A United Front: AASU and SASU Respond

The response from AASU and SASU has been swift and resolute. In a powerful letter to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, AASU President HE Osisiogu Osikenyi E. condemned the suspensions and called for immediate action. “We stand in solidarity with the students of Midlands State University, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), and the subregional student body – Southern Africa Students’ Union (SASU) in their struggle for justice, equality, and academic freedom,” he wrote. The letter demands not only the reinstatement of these students but also a clear directive to MSU’s management to stop targeting student leaders exercising their rights.

SASU’s Gender and Human Rights Secretary, Mqondisi M. Msibi, added weight to the outcry in a press statement. He pointed to a chilling pattern of repression across Zimbabwe and Eswatini, where student activists face harassment, arrests, and suspensions for demanding democracy and justice. “The repression in Zimbabwe is part of a disturbing trend where authoritarian regimes use education institutions as battlegrounds to suppress youth activism,” Msibi declared. It’s a statement that resonates deeply with me—an African student who knows all too well the courage it takes to stand up in such climates.

A Broader Struggle: Repression Across Borders

This isn’t just about MSU or these five students. It’s about a growing clampdown on youth voices across Southern Africa. In Zimbabwe and Eswatini, student leaders are being punished for daring to dream of a better future. SASU’s statement highlighted state-led efforts to infiltrate student unions, trade unions, and opposition parties—all aimed at crushing dissent. As a journalist, I’ve seen this playbook before, but as a student, it cuts deeper. These are my peers, my comrades, fighting for the same freedoms I hold dear.

Demands for Justice

AASU and SASU have laid out clear demands:

1. Immediate reinstatement of the suspended ZINASU leaders at MSU.
2. Protection of student unions from government interference.
3. Respect for academic freedom and students’ rights across Southern Africa.
4. A call to the international community to hold Zimbabwe accountable for upholding democracy and human rights.

These are not just requests—they are a rallying cry for every student who believes our voices matter. The right to associate, to express ourselves, to grow intellectually—these are the bedrock of education. To see them trampled at MSU is a betrayal of what our institutions should stand for.

ZINASU: A Legacy Under Attack

ZINASU has been a beacon for Zimbabwean students, advocating for our rights against mounting odds. I’ve watched their battles—from protests over tuition fees to clashes with authorities over political freedoms—and felt pride in their resilience. That MSU would target its members for something as simple as a t-shirt feels like an attempt to snuff out that legacy. It’s personal for me; these are the kinds of leaders who inspire us to keep pushing, even when the odds seem stacked against us.

A Plea to President Mnangagwa

AASU’s letter to President Mnangagwa ended with a glimmer of hope: “We trust that you will swiftly direct the immediate reinstatement of our comrades within three days, in line with the spirit of the New Zimbabwe.” The hashtags #FreeZimStudents, #AcademicFreedom, and #HumanRights are gaining traction online, amplifying our collective plea. As a student, I cling to that hope, but as a journalist, I know the clock is ticking. Will the government listen, or will this become another chapter in the story of silenced youth?

Why This Matters

This story isn’t just about five students—it’s about all of us. It’s about the shrinking space for dissent in Zimbabwe’s schools and the ripple effect across Africa. I’m pained by this decision because it’s a reminder of how fragile our freedoms are. Our campuses should nurture debate, not stifle it. Our governments should protect us, not punish us for speaking out. The international community must pay attention, because what happens in Zimbabwe sets the tone for how student activism is treated region-wide.

Looking Ahead

As I write this, I think of Tanaka, Nester, Keegan, Takunda, and Fanuel—names that now symbolize a fight bigger than themselves. Their suspension is a wound to every African student who dreams of a freer, fairer future. AASU and SASU’s demands are a lifeline, but the real test lies in what comes next. Will MSU back down? Will the government step in? Or will we, the students of Africa, have to rise even louder to reclaim our rights?

For now, we wait, we watch, and we speak—because silence is not an option.

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Written by an African student pained by the erosion of academic freedom.