Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) has relocated some of its faculties from Gweru to Zvishavane, a move that has seen former Shabanie and Mashaba Mine employees being evicted from company houses to create space for students and lecturers.

Former workers in the small mining town are not happy with the evictions while, university students have criticised authorities at MSU for giving them less than 10 days’ notice to prepare for the relocation.

In a notice signed by the institution’s registrar Erasmus Mupfiga, the university said Peace Studies as well as Politics and Public Management faculties would be located at the Zvishavane campus when the new semester opens on August 3.

Gweru hosts the main campus.

“May all students studying the above-stated programmes (Politics and Public Management and Peace Studies) be advised that these programmes have been relocated to our Zvishavane Campus with immediate effect. In this regard, all returning students in the said programmes should report at the Zvishavane campus located at the Shabanie Corporate and General Offices complex along the Zvishavane/Buchwa Road, opposite the Mine Hospital,” reads part of the notice.

“All first level first semester students in the same programmes should report at the Gweru Campus for orientation as indicated in their acceptance letters. Lectures will begin at the new campus this semester commencing on 3 August 2015.”

Parents and guardians have also been urged to make necessary arrangements for the smooth relocation of students to the new campus.

“Accommodation is limited and will be available on a first come first served basis. Please note that students who had already paid for their accommodation at the Gweru Campus (es) will be given first preference,” the notice added.

The development means that students have only ten days to make arrangements for life in another town.

MSU Students Representative Council vice president Amanda Murorera said the relocation was unfair as students were not given adequate notice.

She added that desperation in terms of getting accommodation may see some students resorting to risky behaviour in order to survive at the new campus.

“This is unfair on us and our parents since we weren’t notified on time. We only have less than 10 days to relocate. As students we’re afraid some will be forced into prostitution to supplement for the new lives in Zvishavane,” said Murorera.

Zvishavane-based SMM has been evicting its former workers from its houses in order to create room for MSU after the two institutions entered into an agreement for the higher learning institution to lease the mining firm’s offices to use as the new campus.

So far about 40 ex-employees and their families have been evicted.

The chairman of the SMM Workers Union Alois Zhou said evictions were on-going.

“There is an endless list with names of ex-workers earmarked for eviction. It’s very sad what’s happening and the manner in which they’re throwing people out of their houses is inhuman,” he said.

Workers have been fighting for their outstanding salaries since 2009 and were now fighting a losing battle over the houses they are living in.

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