Harare Polytechnic closed after protests

The Harare Polytechnic was closed on Tuesday, for an indefinite period, after student protests over the government’s decision to privatise catering services, news reports said.

College principal, Grey Chivanda, said the college would only open after a review of the situation. “The students have been violent. They looted the kiosk, destroyed the kitchen and they have been beating up their fellows to coerce them into joining the strike,” he said.

Students denounced the government and waved red cards, a move associated with supporters of the Movement for Democratic Change. Student leader Edmore Kandira said: “The students were only demonstrating in a peaceful manner against the decision to privatise the catering department without increasing our loans because we do not have any other source of money.”