High Court Barres Harare Poly From Demanding Fees In USD

Harare Polytechnic College has been barred from demanding tuition fees in US dollars. The court has ruled in favour of the student’s application.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights {ZLHR} said, “We have stopped Harare Polytechnic College from demanding payment in USD which was against the law. It was illegal and a violation of section 3(1)(a) of the Administrative Justice Act as it was unlawful and unfair”.
The students said, “The Circular issued by Harare Polytechnic College was in direct violation of a directive issued on 12 January 2024 by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development directing polytechnic and industrial training colleges to accept tuition fees and other levies in RTGS equivalent at the inter-bank rate”.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science & Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said, “We got an order granted by High Court Judge Justice Gladys Mhuri restraining and interdicting the learning institution from demanding (Exclusive US dollars) in contravention of the Regulations 2019 S.I 212 of 2019 as amended by section 2 of the Exchange Control (Exclusive Use of Zimbabwean Dollar for Domestic Transactions) Regulations 2020 (No.3) S.I 185 of 2020”.
“Harare Polytechnic College had on 12 January 2024 issued a Circular wherein it pegged tuition, catering, and accommodation fees to be paid by students for the first semester, which commenced this month, exclusively in United States dollars, and only provided a United States dollar-denominated account.”