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div style=”margin-bottom: 0.5em”>via Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 5/18/13
PRESIDENT Sata laying a foundation stone at the site where Palabana University will be constructed. Looking on are Chieftainess Nkomeshya (right) and Education minister John Phiri (left) in Chongwe yesterday. – Picture by CHANDA MWENYA.
By ALVIN CHIINGA
PRESIDENT Sata has accused opposition United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema of inciting University of Zambia and Copperbelt University students to protest.
President Sata alleged that Mr Hichilema has been distributing money to students at the two highest learning institutions to cause trouble.
And President Sata has instructed Education minister John Phiri to identify ring leaders in the protests and expel them from the universities.
“Look for those students who want to skip class because they have no brains and want to cause trouble. When you find them, lock them up and expel them,” he said.
Mr Sata was speaking in Palabana yesterday when he laid a foundation stone for the construction of Palabana University.
President Sata said Government would not close universities because of confusion caused by students.
“We are not going to close any learning institution because of protests but we will ensure that trouble-makers are locked up,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Sata directed Lusaka Province police commissioner Joyce Kasosa to arrest students causing unnecessary trouble over calls for Government to rescind its decision to scrap maize and fuel subsidies.
He said Government is spending about K250 billion to construct five universities across the country.
President Sata said this is far much better than spending K1.1 trillion on fuel subsidies.
“It is immoral for anyone to subsidise fuel for a few rich people at the expense of the poor,” he said.
The President said the construction of the universities across the country will cater for pupils who do not have access to existing public universities.
He said the corruption involving students competing to get into public universities will end.
President Sata said Palabana University will enhance development and create jobs in the construction sector.
He said one of Government’s priorities is to distribute wealth equitably.
President Sata also asked Dr Phiri to consider pursuing Zambian academicians in the Diaspora to come back and be part of staff that will run the new universities.
Dr Phiri warned students against being used by politicians.
