ZINASU MSU Students Lose Appeal For Re-Instatement

There was heavy riot Police and CIO presence at the High Court in Masvingo last Monday as five Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) students suspended from Midlands State University (MSU) appealed for reinstatement.

The appeal was thrown out by Justice Sunsley Zisengwe for late submission of papers. Fanuel Gona, Nester Moyo, Tanaka Sibanda, Keegan Mathe and Takunda Mhuka were suspended on February 25, 2025, after an MSU disciplinary hearing found them guilty of conducting an unsanctioned recruitment drive of ZINASU members on campus.

• Background: In March 2025, the students were accused of conducting an unauthorized recruitment drive for ZINASU, which is considered an unregistered organization by the university.
• Outcome:
  • Takunda Mhuka was expelled from the university following a disciplinary hearing.
  • Fanuel Gona, Nester Moyo, Tanaka Sibanda, and Keegan Mathe were all suspended for three semesters.
• Response: In October 2025, ZINASU announced that the students’ legal case would be heard at the Masvingo High Court.

• Takunda Mhuka: He is a Human Resources Management student and served as the Secretary General of the ZINASU MSU Gweru Chapter. He is also a human rights defender and social justice activist.
• Keegan Mathe: An activist, human rights defender, and pro-democracy campaigner studying Public Management and Governance at MSU.
• Nester Moyo: A law student at MSU, she is an advocate for human rights and gender justice and also served as the president of GirlUp MSU.
• Fanuel Gona: An MSU student, he has publicly spoken out on issues affecting students, such as the impact of the new currency.
• Tanaka Sibanda: MSU student who was also part of the group targeted by the university.