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University of Zimbabwe bans kissing on campus

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A SHOWDOWN looms between the University of Zimbabwe and students after the institution recently issued a directive barring students from kissing

A SHOWDOWN looms between the University of Zimbabwe and students after the institution recently issued a directive barring students from kissing or making any form of intimate gestures.

RUTENDO MAWERE OWN CORRESPONDENT

In a circular pasted on students’ halls of residence, the university warned that anyone “caught in intimate position (kissing or having sex in public places),” risked immediate eviction from the halls of residence.

The university also barred students from “loitering in dark places at night especially in areas around Langham Road, dark areas outside the sports pavilion and lecture venues, allowing oneself to be a nuisance within the University premises and harbouring squatters in the study bedroom, among others.”

The Zimbabwe National Students ’Union (Zinasu) yesterday described the regulations as an infringement of their rights.

“These rules infringe on our rights as adults. We cannot be treated like secondary school children. The university is giving too much power to the guards who are left to define what intimate positions means. We cannot allow it,” said Zinasu board member Tinotenda Mhungu.

Zinasu UZ president Gift Maphosa said the regulations were implemented without the consent of the Student Representative Committee.

“About 500 Manfred residents were made to sign as they had attended the meeting. Students are intimidated by the threat of being refused residence on campus. Accommodation is problematic at the institution and students will sign anything to ensure they get accommodation, but this is not fair,” Maphosa said.

Sources said students in other hostels had refused to sign the indemnity forms, describing the stringent admission regulations as unfair. UZ spokesperson Dennis Rwafa could not be reached for comment.