Zimbabwean police allegedly beat students

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Three students arrested during a protest at Zimbabwe's Bindura State University have accused police of beating them while in custody.

Chiedza Gadzirayi, 22, said after being detained this week by police following the university protest, police allegedly assaulted her and accused her of being a member of the Movement for Democratic Change, SW Radio reported Thursday.

"They beat us up saying we are overexcited and not recognizing the whole issue of the talks," Gadzirayi alleged, referring to the ongoing formation talks for a power-sharing government, "they also said we are part of the MDC and that we were trying to incite students."

While the students were released hours after their arrest Wednesday, their allegations prompted a statement from the Zimbabwe National Students Union.

"This is a negative development, taking into consideration that the deal was signed to bring sanity to the political terrain in this country," the student group said.

SW Radio said police had no comment regarding the abuse allegations or the protest, which targeted increased university fees.