Police release 41 students arrested during riots

Police on Tuesday released all 41 students arrested during three days of riotous demonstrations at Harare’s main university aimed at protesting economic hardships, AP reported, quoting student leaders. One student died in the violence and 20 others were injured, some by jumping from upper floors of their hostels after police fired tear gas into the windows. Most of the 41 students had been detained since early Sunday. They were discharged after appearing in court on public violence charges and were not expected to face further charges, said Brilliant Mhlanga, an official of the students’ union. The Harare campus was reported to be calm on Tuesday. Student leaders were helping with arrangements for the funeral on Wednesday of science student Batanayi Madzidzi, 20, who died from injuries he sustained allegedly during clashes with police late on Sunday. Police said Madzidzi was injured in a stampede, but students said that police punched and kicked him and left him unconscious as they assaulted students fleeing campus dormitories.