Over 12 students who had their government scholarships withdrawn by ZANU PF officials have slammed Fort Hare University in South Africa for allowing them to be victimized.

ZANU PF's Manicaland Governor, Christopher Mushowe, the director of the Presidential Scholarship Fund (which is meant to help disadvantaged student's) wrote to the university last year informing them that government had withdrawn the scholarships. He accused the students of engaging in political activity on campus and denigrating their 'sponsor' Mugabe. The scheme is of course funded by taxpayer's money and not Mugabe's.

On Tuesday Newsreel spoke to one of the affected student's, Tapiwa Shumba, who confirmed that they were being denied their exam results over the 'outstanding' fees. Even those who have finished and are meant to graduate this year will not be able to do so until the money is paid. The registration process for this year begins on Monday and those affected will not be able to continue with their studies. The students have since rallied around and formed the Zimbabwe International Students Union (ZISU) in which Shumba is now the Secretary General.

Shumba explained that the Scholarship Fund and university entered into a binding contract which allowed the students to learn. The fees are paid at the end of the year, after invoices are produced and sent to the Fund. So effectively the scholarship fund is refusing to pay for a years worth of learning, even though they had a contract with the university to do so. The university also advanced allowances to the students in the course of the year on the back of the agreement, and this means the Fund stills owes them.

Fort Hare University Vice Chancellor, Tom Mvuyo, has remained unmoved by his institutions role in the matter, or the student's plight. He claimed the students should be grateful because he allowed them to continue with their education and write examinations last year even after the withdrawal of their sponsorship. He further stated that money given to the students to cover their transport costs came from the university coffers.

It has not been all doom and gloom for the expelled students however with one of them, Juma Ulete, getting help from the MDC Victims Association to continue his studies overseas. Ulete was the MDC branch chairman at Fort Hare.

Meanwhile the remaining affected students have said they will not go back to Zimbabwe as they fear for their lives. Even those who have completed the programme have said they will not go back.

Every year close to 750 students are sponsored by the scholarship fund, but it also looks like many of the graduates are unwilling to make the journey back home because of limited job opportunities.