The University of Zimbabwe’s decision to lift the suspension of six students that were being punished for their involvement in demonstrations that were staged in solidarity with striking lecturers is a welcome development towards a lasting solution to the chaos rocking the country’s oldest institution of higher learning.
Teaching staff at the UZ went on strike as far back as April as they were protesting against low pay and poor working conditions.
The lecturers, who earn less than US$300 a month, want to force the university authorities to restore their salaries to the 2018 levels, resulting in a long running impasse.
As a result of the strike, UZ students rarely had lessons during the just ended semester.
There are reports that most of the students were forced to write examinations despite not having attended any lectures.
The job boycott pushed frustrated students to embark on sporadic demonstrations in solidarity with the striking lecturers, resulting in a string of suspensions that seemed to target perceived ring leaders.
Some of the students are challenging the suspensions because they felt they were being unfairly targeted in an operation to silence them.
In a surprise turn of events, the UZ administration on Friday said it had “reconsidered its position” and was lifting the suspensions.
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The university, however, warned against behaviour that threatens its “reputation and integrity.”
We argue that perhaps’ the biggest threat to the UZ’s reputation and integrity is the failure to pay its employees a decent wage.
For a university of the UZ’s stature to go for over three months without resolving a strike that has gone for over three months is unforgiveable.
The UZ used to be one of the top universities in Africa, but due to neglect and maladministration, the institution has hit rock bottom.
Instead of going on a witch-hunt targeting students, the authorities must be coming up with a plan that would address the lecturers' grievances and allow for the resumption of classes.
The Ministry of High and Tertiary ministry should also stop being a bystander in the unfolding crisis and act firmly to end the chaos.
We have also seen reports of other universities across the country following the UZ precedent and we urge the authorities to pause and reflect on their ruinous approach.
The disgruntlement by the lecturers also mirrors the state of affairs across the civil service and there is no other better demonstration of failure of an administration than what is at display at the UZ.
