The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the police for setting dogs at protesting learners from St Faith’s High School in Rusape, Makoni District in Manicaland Province, and described the incident as unacceptable and inhumane.
Learners at the Anglican church-run school were protesting authorities’ decision to impose a US$600 mission fund on each student starting this term when police officers unleashed their dogs last Wednesday.
In a short video clip of the incident, which went viral on social media, learners were seen scampering for safety after one of the learners was mauled by the canine.
Reacting to the incident, ARTUZ criticised the police as well as school authorities for the way they handled the demonstration. It said:
<blockquote>
The authorities went even further by hiring the Zimbabwe Republic Police, who deployed police dogs to attack innocent souls.
This is nothing short of a crime scene and a grave violation of human rights. The authorities’ response to this demonstration was inhumane and unacceptable.
</blockquote>
ARTUZ demanded a thourough investigation into the incident and to ensure those responsible for the mayhem are held accountable. It said:
<blockquote>
We strongly condemn the reprehensible actions of the authorities at St Faiths Mission School and the State, who unleashed dogs on peacefully demonstrating school children for their right to education.
This incident is a clear reflection of bad economic management and highlights the need for the government to take immediate action to address the deteriorating state of the economy.
We call on the government to investigate this incident thoroughly, hold those responsible accountable, and take immediate steps to address the economic mismanagement that has led to such dire circumstances.
It is the government’s duty to protect its citizens and ensure their well-being, and failure to do so demonstrates a dereliction of responsibility.
</blockquote>
On Thursday, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued a statement saying normalcy had returned to the school.
Tension had been building up at the school for weeks and last week an Anglican priest allegedly assaulted a man with a disability who was seeking an audience with the school administration.
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Rural Teachers Slam Police For Setting Dogs On Learners

Amnesty International Zimbabwe has condemned Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers’ conduct during a demonstration by St Faith High School learners on Wednesday, 14 February.
At least 800 learners from St Faith’s Mission School marched for close to 13km to the Rusape Education District Office demonstrating against their school’s responsible authority the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland.
One of the police officers who was deployed to control the situation then unleashed a dog on the learners, sending the children scampering for safety.
In a post on X, Amnesty International Zimbabwe highlighted that peaceful protest is a human right and urged authorities to respect, facilitate and protect this right. It said:
<blockquote>
We strongly condemn [Zimbabwe Republic Police] conduct at St Faith High in Rusape today, where a police officer set a dog on learners who were protesting against a US$600 fee hike. Peaceful protest is a human right. Authorities must respect, facilitate and protect this right.
</blockquote>
The protest by learners followed a stand-off between the church, the school authorities and parents over the payment of a US$600 mission fund.
After holding an interactive session with Makoni District Acting Schools Inspector, Mr Tambama and Mr Mukorera from the Public Service Commission, the St Faith’s High learners were then addressed by their school head Arnold Makamba at Makoni District Education offices in Rusape.
It is not yet clear why police details unleashed dogs on schoolchildren and also the extent of the injuries suffered by the learners.
The ZRP has since released a statement saying it is conducting a full inquiry into the incident and that full details about the incident will be released once investigations are completed.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Amnesty International Condemns Zimbabwe Police Brutality During St Faith High Students' March

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it will conduct a full inquiry into allegations that police officers unleashed dogs on learners from St Faith High School in Manicaland during a demonstration on Valentine’s Day.
This comes after a video clip showing a police officer setting a dog on a male learner who was among dozens of learners who were protesting went viral on social media platforms.
In a statement posted on X by the ZRP official’s account, police said full details about the incident will be released once investigations are completed. Reads the post:
<blockquote>
The ZRP has taken note of a viral social media clip on alleged St Faith High School students and ZRP clashes and use of Police dogs during a purported pupils demonstration. Full details on the incident will be availed once the Officer Commanding Police Manicaland Province conducts a full inquiry and briefs the Commissioner-General of Police on what actually transpired.
</blockquote>
According to The Manica Post, learners at St Faith’s Mission in Rusape on Wednesday demonstrated against their school’s Responsible Authority, the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland.
<img alt="May be an image of 7 people and text" decoding="async" src="https://scontent-cpt1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/428032582_926094369516660_8174792470759225181_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=3635dc&amp;_nc_ohc=8xBQ73fH2eIAX-djaol&amp;_nc_ht=scontent-cpt1-1.xx&amp;oh=00_AfDK5YKIUDJvOfS8xC0VeeGRs3FAZdUOuGKODcAuKfz0Zg&amp;oe=65D16492"/>
The protest followed a stand-off between the church, the school authorities and parents over the payment of a US$600 mission fund.
After holding an interactive session with Makoni District Acting Schools Inspector, Mr Tambama and Mr Mukorera from the Public Service Commission, the St Faith’s High learners were then addressed by their school head Arnold Makamba at Makoni District Education offices in Rusape.
It is not yet clear why police details unleashed dogs on schoolchildren and also the extent of the injuries suffered by the learners.
Watch the video below:
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 480px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="852" id="video-271093-1" preload="metadata" width="480"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Police-unleash-Dogs-on-learners.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Police-unleash-Dogs-on-learners.mp4">https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Police-unleash-Dogs-on-learners.mp4</a></video></div>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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