UNZASU plans class boycott over police incompetence, Dora’s reappointment

UNZASU plans class boycott over police incompetence, Dora’s reappointment
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Sunday, August 09, 2009 9:29:53 PM

THE University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) populace has resolved to boycott classes this Wednesday as a way of expressing displeasure over the incompetence of the police and the reappointment of Dora Siliya as education minister.

UNZASU president Duncan Nyirongo said the student populace had also resolved to give the Inspector General of Police a 48-hour ultimatum to institute and effect disciplinary action against his subordinates that were in charge of operations at the Copperbelt University where an unarmed student was shot by state police.

These resolutions were arrived at during the UNZASU first quarter general meeting held on July 30, 2009.

Nyirongo said the students knew the levels of integrity that most current government officials encompassed and that in their effort to realise their uncompromised demands, the students at the meeting further resolved not to welcome the presence of Siliya at the forthcoming University of Zambia Graduation Ceremony scheduled for the August 13 and 14, 2009.

He said UNZASU expected President Rupiah Banda, as the appointing authority, to preside over these issues because the failure by the President to respond to these concerns of the union may seriously erode the confidence that the students have in his leadership.

Nyirongo said the student body resolved to uphold its union leadership's decision not to welcome President Banda's appointment of Siliya as education minister.

Nyirongo said the decision was based on a number of observations of the circumstances that surrounded her reappointment to the ministerial position.

"The union had to take this strong stance acknowledging the fact that as a dynamic, energetic and highly enlightened youth movement, UNZASU has a great responsibility bestowed upon it, as the future and destiny of our nation depends on it, in which the hopes of our fathers and mothers are vested. Some of the reasons for the union's position are as outlined; It is well understood that the High Court did not delve into the merits of the tribunal's decision, as the tribunal went beyond its mandate," he said. "The implication is that the concerned parties and the nation at large remain suspicious of the irregularities or the breaches that were highlighted by the tribunal. The report of the tribunal was ready on the April 16, 2009. It is however disturbing to note that the President never took interest to react to the breaches. But instead he was quick to reappoint Ms Siliya as Minister of Education on the June 18, 2009, two days after judge Phillip Musonda's judgment on June 16, 2009. On June 22, 2009 Mr Harrington filled in a notice of appeal in the Supreme Court. But the President went ahead to swear-in Ms Siliya as Minister of Education on June, 28 2009."

He said given that the levels to which corruption and abuse of authority had been entrenched were too immense, it was cardinal that a strong message of non-tolerance of the vice was propagated.

However, Nyirongo said the President had rather taken a passive stance on the Siliya issue despite his declaration to continue with the late president Levy Mwanawasa's legacy of zero tolerance on corruption.

"Such selectivity does not inculcate any sense of responsibility in the general citizenry but rather erodes the vital trust that they may have in their President, the Cabinet and the entire government. It is therefore morally not right for the Republican President to continue having confidence, on behalf of the Zambians, in Ms Siliya to continue serving the public. In view of the aforementioned, the University of Zambia student populace has resolved to continue pressuring His Excellency, the President to reconsider his decision on the appointment of Hon Dora Siliya as Minister of Education. Hon Dora Siliya would be doing us justice and help in saving the image of the government and the nation at large if she voluntarily stepped down," he said.

And Nyirongo expressed immense displeasure at the weak reaction by Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde to the shooting of a student by the state police at the Copperbelt University.

"The union is of the view that the Inspector General of Police has failed the country based on, among other issues, the failure by the police to secure an arrest of the police officer(s) who shot and wounded two University of Zambia (UNZA) students in March of last year is an act of irresponsibility. This is proof enough that the police command can issue out firearms without putting in place measures to monitor and make police officers account for their usage," he said. "We strongly believe that live ammunition should never be used on unarmed and innocent civilians as its usage seriously undermines the citizens’ right to life, which happens to be the most important basic human right. We challenge the police to revisit the definition of human rights."

Nyirongo described as shameful the continued harassment and ruthless beating of journalists in full view of the police.

"It is a shame that this vice has in most cases been committed on forums where top government officials have been present. Our understanding is that on such forums there is usually maximum police security. And this raises questions as to whether these crimes have been committed with the blessings of the higher authorities," he said.

Nyirongo said the union felt that the peace and security of the nation was seriously under threat because sooner than later, civilians may resort to carrying licensed firearms round with them in their day to day activities as a way of ensuring self security and protection.

He said this could happen because the police had proved to be selective in conducting duty, leading to great compromise on their quality of service provision.

Nyirongo said the police command had filled up its cup of inadequacy and this must be brought to an end.

He said such incompetence should not go unchecked and called upon Kabonde to publicly take disciplinary action against his subordinate command within 48 hours failure to which he himself must step down.

Nyirongo said a mere apology to the Zambians was far from adequacy as the acts in question bordered on criminality rather than plain civil cases.

"UNZASU is worried that with the current state of affairs, more and more of our fellow citizens may be harmed and even slaughtered by this seemingly careless police service. Human beings were placed on this earth to have dominion and control over all affairs and not let things to chance. The state of affairs in this country are like those left to chance where the powers that be do not seem to have the electorate's interest at heart. For too long we have longed to have a Zambia for Zambians," said Nyirongo.