Several Zimbabweans, among them students on scholarships, are stuck in India at Gujarat University amid fears that COVID-19 could get to them before they are allowed to return home.
India is currently on lockdown as COVID-19 infections continue to escalate, with a daily death rate of 4 000. Over 250 000 people have died so far.
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, innovation, Science and Technology Development, Amon Murwira said authorities will urgently look into the matter as all students in foreign countries are of concern to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has a history of neglecting students on State scholarships with past reports indicating that students in countries such as Russia, Algeria and South Africa had at one point, ventured into prostitution and other social ills to make end meets.
WhatsApp Group: 
Telegram Group:
14 May 2021,
_From_
The Office of the Chairman
Progressive Union of Zimbabwe Students
*Attention*
It has come to our attention that there is information circulating on social media stating that there are stranded Zimbabwe Students in India. We would like to advent that since the start of the Covid crisis in March 2020, we have established ways and means for Zimbabwe students seeking assistance, to go back home either through the Progressive Zimbabwe Students Union (PUZS) or through the Embassy. It is therefore our understanding that genuine students are aware of these proceduralchannels of communication, and use them in event of challenges. Last year the Embassy assisted so many students who had chosen to go back home. We note that with the recent upage of Corona Virus cases in India, there could be some justified concerns from families and friends of worruuied about the fate of their beloved ones. We hasten to say that there is no formal request yet presented to the Students Union or the Embassy (after my enquiry today) requesting evacuation.
We therefore take this opportunity to once again appeal to any Zimbabwe student in India who might be facing challenges or stranded to communicate through PUZS or through the Embassy contact details which always avail to students regularly. We also want to keep the peace which we have enjoyed as we caution using social media as a channel of communicating which creates panic in our families and officials hence disturbing our seemingly stable stay in India.
*Thank you* 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽