Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) students who had fully paid their accommodation fees have been told to vacate on-campus hostels, with the university citing renovations ahead of the ruling Zanu PF party’s 23rd National Conference scheduled for October. The relocation to Chinhoyi High School came at short notice, according to the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) CUT Chapter.
ZINASU CUT Chairman Hillary Masango condemned the decision, saying university management had acted without consulting students and had prioritised conference preparations over academic stability and student welfare. “Students are being treated as temporary placeholders who can be shifted around at a whim,” Masango said. He noted that some affected learners are final-year students working on research dissertations, and the sudden move disrupts their study schedules and exposes them to safety risks.
The hostel upgrades are reportedly meant to provide suitable accommodation for delegates attending the Zanu PF conference in Chinhoyi. Student leaders argue that the eviction undermines the right to education and sets a dangerous precedent where learners are displaced for political events. They have demanded that the university provide a clear plan to protect students’ academic progress and ensure proper accommodation during the renovations.
CUT Director of Public Relations and Communications Shadreck Nembaware was not reachable for comment at the time of publishing. The situation has reignited debate over the balance between institutional obligations and student welfare when high-profile political gatherings are hosted on or near campuses.
