Amnesty International Slams Abductions and Torture of Chinhoyi University Student Leaders

Amnesty International Zimbabwe has condemned what it described as the “abhorrent and cowardly” abductions and torture of two student leaders from Chinhoyi University of Technology, allegedly targeted after taking part in campus election campaigns.

In a statement, Amnesty said the brutal attack on Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) activists 23-year-old Marlvin Madanda and 21-year-old Lindon Zanga represents a grave assault on fundamental freedoms and academic independence.

“These attacks threaten not just freedoms of assembly, expression and association, but also the rights to education, non-discrimination, academic freedom, and participation in university public life,” the statement read.

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Amnesty urged authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and guarantee students’ safety on campus.

“We urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate these attacks and ensure that students are able to exercise their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and organize without fear of reprisals, intimidation, or torture,” the rights group said.

ZINASU has accused state security agents of being behind the abductions, though authorities are yet to respond to the allegations.

As outrage grows, Amnesty International warned that impunity for such acts risks fuelling further violence against student activists.

“No student is safe when those who dare to speak out are met with violence and fear,” Amnesty said.