[Onthebarricades] ZAMBIA: Student unrest as lecturers' strike continues

Wed Aug 8 00:38:19 PDT 2007

http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2007-07-25-voa5.cfm

      Zambia's President Blames Opposition Over Student Riot 
      By Peter Clottey 
      Washington, D.C.
      25 July 2007

Clottey's Interview With Tilyenji Kaunda 
Listen to Clottey's Interview With Tilyenji Kaunda  

Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa is blaming opposition parties for instigating students of the Copper belt University to embark on a mass protest to destabilize the country. This comes after university authorities closed down the school after students went on a rampage and destroyed properties during their protest over a protracted strike by their lecturers. Sources say the lecturers who are demanding better wages are in negotiations with Mwanawasa's government, but there seem to be no noticeable agreement in sight. 

Tilyenji Kaunda is the chairman of the opposition United National Independence Party (UNIP). He said President Mwanawasa's accusations are misplaced.

"I think that the real blame is that insufficient resource has been put into education, including institutions of higher learning. I think that is the real problem. So, actually, the students are merely venting their frustrations. Now they (students) are part and parcel of our society, and of course they interact with all political parties including the MMD (ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy). So, I don't think that it's fair to blame the deterioration on opposition parties. I think that is inaccurate," Kaunda said.

He said President Mwanawasa has no proof of the opposition's alleged complicity in the ensuing riots after the student demonstration.

"I'm denying it because I'm saying that students are part and parcel of our society. And obviously they have a keen interest in the politics. they are venting their frustration, for instance the issue of the constitution, they've been waiting now since April 2003 for a new constitution to be in place, which would guarantee their rights in our democratic society. and I think that if they (government) want to talk about a root cause, let them invest more in the education sector. That is the only solution they can come to. Otherwise, blaming the opposition, they are shooting in the dark," he pointed out.

Kaunda praised the formation of an inter-party body, which he said is seeking to bring together all political parties in the country for a discourse on national issues.

"What has happened is that with the ZCID (Zambia Center for Inter-party Dialogue), this is a forum where political parties can meet and they can agree to disagree on a number of issues of national interest, and also have a consensus on the key ones for instance the constitutional making process.so the ZCCID is actually playing a useful role in our democratic system," Kaunda said.

He said the government's recent pay increase to the country's civil servants was not enough.

"I would say that 100% of one cent is nothing. So I think that the increases are cosmetic. The living standard, the basket that is required to be met is really far, far below what they've increased. I think that people are feeling the pinch," he noted.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200706130551.html

Zambia: UNZA Students Riot

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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

13 June 2007
Posted to the web 13 June 2007

Sylvia Mweetwa And Darlington Mwendabai

RIOTING erupted last night at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka when students regrouped and stoned motorists on the Great East road

Police had earlier in the day arrested nine students following disturbances on Monday night which spilled to yesterday.

Police again fired tear-gas cannisters which sent students scampering, with some of them, seeking refugee in the nearby Mtendere and Kalingalinga townships.

Trouble began as darkness was setting when suddenly students began trooping towards the Great East road.

However, more policemen were rushed to the area to restore order.

Earlier the students rioted smashing a windscreen to a Zambia Army bus registration number AF 1239 which was parked near the campus.

They smashed windows to another vehicle believed to belong to a student there. The Great East road, which was earlier opened, was closed after fresh rioting.

The students are rioting against the continued strike involving the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) at the higher institute of learning who are demanding a payrise.

A Times team that rushed to the scene found students 'air lifting' a man they suspected to be a spy. The man later claimed that he had lost about K1.5 million and a cellular phone in the fracas.

The students also harassed Times of Zambia journalist, Sylvia Mweetwa who was covering the event. They tore her skirt in the fracas.

Traffic on Great East road diverted to other routes as vehicles from town were blocked.

Lusaka Province police chief, Wasakaza Ng'uni said nine students had been arrested.

                  Relevant Links 

                  Southern Africa 
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                  Zambia 

Acting UNZA council chairperson, Tukiya Kankasa -Mabula stated that the industrial action did not follow the laid down procedures in accordance with Section 75 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act and recognition agreement between the university and UNZALARU.

Dr Mabula appealed to members of UNZALARU to resume work immediately to facilitate continuation of the normal bargaining process in accordance with the law.

"The university council wishes to achieve quick resolution of the current unfortunate situation. Members of UNZALARU are therefore urged to avoid an escalation of the industrial unrest," Dr Mabula said,

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