‘Went to war for it’ Former NUST Student Tanaka Ziso Who Was Arrested For Racial Comments Graduates Amid Calls For Graduation Denial

Tanaka Ziso, a graduate in Civil and Water Engineering, recently shared his joy on X (formerly Twitter) after he completes his degree and graduates.

This milestone comes amid widespread speculation and rumours that the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) might deny him the opportunity to graduate due to a series of controversial incidents earlier this year.

The Tweet That Sparked Outrage

The controversy surrounding Tanaka began in March 2024 when he posted a series of tweets that many deemed offensive and tribalistic. Using the handle @iamryantanaka on X, he made derogatory remarks targeting the Ndebele community.

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One of his tweets read:

“The way MaNdevere claim they’re not Zimbabweans is top tier man, woenda kuSouth Africa vokuramba, wopiswa ikoko futi. I wish I could live with those kind of brains, no real thinking, no straining your brains. Just an idiot saying Vele 25 times a day. Freestyle kinda life.”

His comments ignited a storm on social media, with users expressing outrage and demanding accountability. The tweets polarized the online community, drawing criticism and a small fraction of support.

Legal Repercussions and Public Backlash

Shortly after posting the inflammatory tweets, Tanaka found himself in legal trouble. Reports from The Chronicle revealed that he appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Maxwell Ncube on charges of offending individuals of a particular race. This marked a turning point, as social media users intensified calls for disciplinary action against him.

Despite issuing a public apology, Tanaka’s efforts to mend the situation were primarily rejected. Many X users reportedly contacted NUST, urging the university to bar him from graduating. The campaign against him gained momentum, with hashtags and discussions dominating social media.

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NUST’s Stance and Graduation Triumph

Amid the uproar, rumours circulated that NUST might revoke Tanaka’s right to graduate. However, these claims proved untrue as Tanaka celebrated his academic achievement on his social media platform. He expressed gratitude and pride in overcoming what he described as a challenging period.

“Went to war for it,” he wrote, indicating the intense personal and public battles he faced during his final year at the university.

The post ‘Went to war for it’ Former NUST Student Tanaka Ziso Who Was Arrested For Racial Comments Graduates Amid Calls For Graduation Denial appeared first on iHarare News.