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UNZA students riot over allowances

By editor
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Irate University of Zambia students Tuesday evening rioted and stoned some vehicles along the great East road.

The students are demanding payment of their meal allowances by government.

Police managed to push students back from the roadside into the university grounds after firing teargas at the unruly students.

Heavily armed riot police blocked part of the Great East road from the Arcades Shopping mall round-about up to the University of Zambia main entrance led by Lusaka province police commanding officer Greenwell Nguni.

Acting inspector general of police Francis Kabonde said no arrests were made.

Mr. Kabonde said police controlled the situation and prevented further damage to property.

Police are keeping vigil to maintain peace at the higher institution of learning.

[ZNBC]

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

132 COMMENTS

  2. don’t fight over your allowances,because you rejoiced when banda lied to you.that’s why i don’t trust mmd and nyamasoya. :-?:d/:((:”>[-(

  4. When are these kids going to know that such things belong to the past? Any way, it`s not as if the government would even listen to them.

  6. Always same things! Running up and down… No patience!

    Got nothing to do! Grab a book and study!

    Things shall never change!! we cant develop with this mentality!

    Agree on difference and wait for the other party to finish its part!!

    same culture for 44 years!! lets think twice… NUMBER 1 TODAY!!!

  10. They were promised these allowances by NS prior to the last election, why the sudden U-turn? Ku chivivulafye ba roomie!

  13. Still this does not state when the allowances will be granted to the Students! Shame on you! You just can not argue how you managed to tame the feral Cat and not what you are going to do to avoid a higher and more oragnised riot!!

    What does the Govt say. Have the funds been used for VJ and friends in SA?

    UNZAS Students are the immediate successors of some posts in the government. So look after these Chaps. Maestro I am waiting :d

  16. This is no longer news, we are tired of late payments of meal allowances to studendts every year. Since the early 1990’s when meal allowances were introduced by then I was a student at unza, his has been an issue. Why cant’ government for once be efficient, they know when students open at Unza and Cbu but dont’ pay them on time until they make noise. N’ way it could be a way of giving the trainnee policemen from Lilayi to do their practicles!!!!

  18. anyway its so heavy to advise!!!

    Just impressed with the INDIAN mentality of hardwork, self employment! they manufacture almost anything here! Just wish my country will be like this. i am also a culprit. have to change the mindset.

    I mean when busy for development no such cheap noise. Even the politician finds it difficult to lie to hardworking people because they have to be as well. Next time UNZA wake and wake up now

  20. Haven’t we moved on from such vices.So what exactly do you get when you riot.These are people who are supposed to be icons..I think students should use the education to learn to solve things amicably.When you riot and destory infrastracture we wont get anywhere.

  24. May be its about time you looked and changed the whole meal allowance saga.We have to do something.I dont know what though.I will think about it today.

  26. Jamaco thanks. Ignore the post in #22:d

    I didn`t see it. Was wearing rose tinted glasses as you do! :-b

    Jamaco thought you had mobile internet!:d

  28. Fine thank you Matworld. Greeted you yesterday but you suddenly disappeared. I feel sorry for this kids. Not long ago we saw pictures of them demonstrating in support of bashikulu ba NS. Now this?

    How is Uni?

  31. I think rioting at UNZA is part of the curriculum….. students are lecturers and the police are the students..they just need to inform us which school it falls under……..

  32. 26. 3RqU No Mobile High Speed Internet on the Train I use going to work and no UMTS Connection! I just finished playing the Lottery (28 Million Euros) and was day dreaming!!

    I will by LT when I win and make sure that Numbala 1 is always reserved for ME :d

  33. What a bunch of ungreatful students, if only they knew how lucky they are to receive allowances. Why not resort to peaceful demonstrations if they really want to be heard. Government should abolish the meal allowance and replace it wil an interest free loan that gets repaid after graduation to fix these ungrateful chaps.

  34. like i done said be4, same old crap, different day…nothings changed and it always happens every year, bout once or twice, soon lecturers will go on strike, then students will support them, then get disgruntled and also riot, then they will close early, 4 year degree will take 5 to 6 years….

  35. Back to the ‘Stone Age’ but then thats the only language grz understands. SHREK must learn to keep his promises, if not more stones will fly.

  38. Its so sad that Innocent citizens end up suffering in such occasions, very bad, I wish this could be channeled to the minister of Educ. or people directly involved.

  40. God please save our souls in russia coz we are dying.the govt has neglected us and russia is cold,lets hope our hearts wont become that cold coz the pipo at the zambian embassy are going to suffer the consequences,Amen!!!!!!!!!!! 😕

  41. grz is always ineffecient. i don’t condone them stoning innocent peoples cars, the demo should have been peaceful. however, some of these students rely heavily on their allowances as not all of them come from well to do families. gry needs to mprove service delivery

  42. unza chaps,prepare for a JIHAD this time no mercy. I’ll hit where it hurts and you will all cry like stephen chungu the boxer.

  45. How do you expect the students to study on an empty tummy. Some of you do not understand why they take to the streets. They want the whole country , if not the whole world to know that they are not being looked after.

    PLEASE TRY NOT TO DISTURBE THE ORDINARY PIPO IN THEIR CARS.

    NEXT TIME , GO TO THE STATE HOUSE AND BREAK ALL THE WINDOWS.
    SHARP.

  49. #33 Watch your tone when addressing the students, its not as easy as you think.Anyway your ignorance got the best of you.Do you know that the meal allowance has been going for over 5 weeks when they opened.The students did their registration and fulfiled their part and For your own information the Allowances are loans which have to be paid back and so dont expose your ignorance. That is the only way you and your collegues in the government take things seriously,already the minister reacted by saying they will be paid on Friday!.You are a dissapointment to humanity.Peaceful demonstrations foot!!This has been there for decades the government hasdone nothin[-([-(

  53. SOME OF YOU CAN BE NUMBER ONE, BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE REALLY NUMBER ONE.

    GROW UP AND LET OTHERS HAVE A GO ESPECIALLY YOU JAMACO.

    I AM NOT HURTING, JUST EXPRESIN MY VIEWS.

    THIS IS TO ALL THOSE FIGHTING FOR NUMBER ONE.

  55. its not suprising to hear goverment has neglected our fellow future leaders in russia.This government is just disgrantled and full of cadres who just care about their well being,tummies and their sympathysers like some of you.Obviously its wrong to break cars and that we all condemn in strongest terms.But these problems are avoidable as long as someone responsible does their after all its routine that the students have to be paid so why not plan.what a shame!! :-w

  56. Shushu so we can never do things differently because this has been there for ages? The last time I checked, these are the same kids who were spouting r u b b i s h about how they trusted MMD.

    You may be right, things will never change. Even their kids will be doing the same 25 years from now! Kalilila pa Zed! :d

  57. As long as Govt continues to delay their allowances,there’l never stop…i’ve been at UNZA i know how goes on..our govt is alwayz delays the payments knowing that these guyz heavily depend on this little cash[-(

  58. SHUSHU#1
    You seem to think you ill mannered students are somehow already ordained to be future leaders when you forget that Zambians from the best universities worldwide can do a better job. The fact that you resort to ill mannered zoo temperaments to deal with small issues by reacting like vagabonds. It just shows how mentally circumsized the calibre of students they are when year in year out your resort to the same fruitless violent demonstrations as if you will get something out of it.

  60. Chi number 18 do you know what mfumu ya ma mfumu means?
    Mind what you say.The king of kings is only God himself waumfwa?

  61. I HAVE JUST SEEN THE STUDENTS GOING BACK TO THEIR HOME , COS OF THE PROBLEMS. THE MORE TIME THEY SPEND RIOTING, THE LESS AMANO THEY ARE LEFT WITH .

    ALL YOU LT CREW, LETS SPONSOR THESE POOR FUTURE LEADERS.

    THEY CAN LIVE ON 1 POUND A DAY.

  62. Number 16,somehow i agree with you.Honestly what is the govt doing if they fail to even plan ahead of things.I mean,they know when the students open and the requirements.Should they wait until students riot to respond to issues?Enough of this,you would even wonder what these pipo do in there offices…sit down and wait for a pay rise?
    Money is budgeted for and put in the respective coffers,but all they do is fatten there pockets.NO more MMD come 2011,we are tired… :d/

  63. I do not blame the students. If you have people like Namulambe in Govt, what do you expect? Can Namulambe advise or bring anything sensible before the president? In fact, these students exercise a ot of partience. The Govt of Rupiah Ndalama Banda ni Gong’a. This is the worst Govt on earth, all because of Tetamashimba.

  65. Zed Government tit for tat has been going on since the early 70’s. The Government only reacts to violence by the students, they have set for themselves a bad precedence/culture. I was at UNiversity in the late 80’s and we were fed not given money4food to cook in those small bedseater rooms, like the situation now. The Govt should revert to that sysstem. The food was excellent, hotel standards. Top soup was a marvel, we came back fat. The students now use that “jackie” to buy Jeans. GRZ take back those glory days. Feed the students.Dont give them cash.

  67. THANX for confirming that you are as ignorant as i dont know.Aint the russia guys potential leaders? even yourself oh probably am wrong about u.i speak of them becoz they r the ones who complain over and over again.Obviously every students is potential
    but with mentalities like yoz am afraid we r doomed.
    #56 What i mean is that change is possible but why is that the govt doesnt resolve the delayments of payments a situation that has been there for ages.Planning is a solution.They know the students are suppose to be paid at a certain time so why not plan and if they cant pay them let them know before hand that there will be delayments so that they are aware and prepare themselves.

  69. In my opinion,i think the best way to administer bursaries is to pay tution fees for that cannot afford,subsidise for those that can pay a bit & do away with meal allowances & this should be paid directly to the institutions of learning or should be given as loans & recovered when one finishes studies & commences work.
    These chaps keep destroying public property when they are being educated for free,who knows maybe some of them only use the money for booze & sex.

  71. What are you folks talking about? Delayments of payments!!!!? What payments? Are there students who get paid? Where is this and for doing what?

  72. I didnt know Some of u guys sink so low.How do you defend people who fail to do their job.If goverment cannot plan for a routine scenario what more situations more complex like the global financial crisis.Thats the reason why they increase their salaries without thinking the mining sector will forever bring revenue and now we are have all these problems in Zambia.People are wallowing in poverty and dying from avoidable diseases largely because of lack of planning.Food producing places cannot produce because of they were hit by floods some phenomenon that is expected to occur.ALl becuse there is lack of planning!!

  74. Shushu #67

    The problem is these kids are easily manipulated. Unfortunately this thing will be there even when their children go to Uni. I am not for the idea of throwing stones or rioting. But our minds are like you said set. Government will only listen when a child throws a stone.

    When it comes to gratuity, the money is always there and yes in time.

    Katwishi pa Zed!

  75. The solution suggested by mpangula mputyu is one the best solutions that Unza needs and Zambia has more better solutions to this but we always want to condemn them.Yes it is wrong to attack innocent people and so solutions should be seeked and implemented by the government.Why should we have the same problems over and over again.

  76. We dont know if such problems will ever come to an end, these problems keep on recurring, from the days of bena MUMBA KAPUMPA, to the days of SHUSHU#1, even during the days of MOSSAD-KGB, its still the old song. We thought by electing someone who passed through that place will curtail such, awe mwandi……

  77. Wooo, Wooo, stop! The problem is largely due to stagnation and lack of dynamism. We can not continue to run a University system that was created by KK when we are told that in 1991, there was a paradigm shift to a free market economy. University education is still largely politicised and students think and rightly so because there has been no reform, that we tax payers owe them anything. No, ZERO,personally I don’t. How do you justify a system where students will register and enter a University based on a bursary scheme that does not exist, does not deliver any money to the University and therefore essentially free education. Be it GRZ bursary, bring the cheque bwana before I register

  80. CONTD. you. Students need to raise their own money for food either from parents, relatives or by doing old jobs like mending potholes in Lusaka which by the way is riddled with them, work in restaurants and hotels as waiters, dish washers etc. That way, they will even contribute to development and develop a sense of ownership and responsibility like a lot of you who work at McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. In Zambia, this can not happen with those kids because the KK mentality of “some of us” is still greatly engrained in there heads. Come on, we need to reform the whole system. Its okay if we were rich save for the politicians who keep giving an impression that we are rich, ALAS!!!!

  81. There is lack of serious planning in our budget implementaion and stuff like that. Does GRZ lead by RB & Prof. as education Minister have to wait for students to stone innocent motorists etc for them to sort problems at Unza. What type of products are we going to chun out of Unza. This admin comes in and out. the same story Police quell student riot at Unza. It makes sad reading. Policemen are human and are parents and most them don’t pleasure charging at their own children brothers and sisters unless those who think education is zero. Our leaders lets get organised. No wonder anything straight in Zedi u have to fight. Even those products of Unza once in GRZ forget the past suffering. Shame

  82. And what more, the thing is now a dignified High School. Most of the people with original professoriate material and brains abandoned it and so staff recruitment shifted to anyone who could break chalk. These people need to be flushed out and the whole tertiary education delivery system reformed. Take those teachers back to where they belong and recruit fresh staff, revive the staff development program, damn it!!!!

  83. #80
    GOOD POINT,
    WHY SHOULD THEY WAIT FOR THE GOVT TO BUY FOOD FOR THEM, THIS IS PROPER THRID WORLD MENTALITY.

    WHATS WRONG WITH THEM GETTING HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.
    THE TIME TIME THEY WASTE,, SHAME

  85. Rioting is a half course at UNZA which you take every year from fresher till you graduate if at all. I don’t think i would like my son to get to UNZA. Things have changed the world over yet a studeny at UNZA still behaves like a 70’s marxist-socialist species devoid of conscionto!

  86. Thats why we produce leaders who are KABOVOLIC b-( in nature despite the suits and cufflinks they don at the office.

  87. Real Brain. Are you sure that those students can get part time jobs to supplement what they receive from GRZ. You should realise most parents and guardians were messed up during privitization period. Look at NCZ Kafue, Kawambwa Tea coy, pipo have gone 4 months minus pay. How and where does one get cash. I used to work for Zimco to date I have got paid my dues.Its by sheer lucky that I God gave me some rare talent. Let GRZ find a lasting solution and the only language they understand is when students misbehave. May education minister enjoys it. He’s UNZA man.

  89. #83, if UNZA is left to go at that pace it is now, it will never contribute to mordernization and development of Zambia because there seems to be a lack of direction. Its not just students, a lot of academic staff have seized to be so and are just masquarading and heavily searching for money in whatever form it shows itself as long as it is money. The fifth National Development plan has many salient areas where UNZA can fit in and become a catalyst in national development, but wait after this riot, it will be staff on strike looking for an increment, what a circus. Its sickening, where do they find time to contribute anything to National development? Its a microcosm of NS govt.

  90. Real Brains it is a gud idea to work part and get supplement on BC but thats only possible in other countries.If a college/University graduate cannot even find even a volunteer work in Zambia where can a student get a part job?we have to face reality!!If you have information of where there jobs part or whatever let us know so that we can advertise and solve the problem using your suggestion.

  91. # 88. Yes them kip it up but the cost in academics is dear. Rioting is only a symptom of a problem that must be confronted:Govt cann’t afford this scheme in the manner it is run today.

  92. # 87, UNZA introduced what they called “work-study program” where very disadvantaged students worked around campus slashing grass, in the library and etc, I do not know if its still there. It received great enthusiasm and worked well. We are not talking white collar jobs here, we are talking manual labor and if the govt prioritised labor intensive jobs for students, what would stop them from getting those jobs? There are many construction works going on in Lusaka, road maintainance etc. Give them to those students who can not be fed by their parents first and then consider others later. ow can there be no jobs at O’Hagans, Shoprite, Subway, Times, Cresta Golf View honestly?

  93. i strongly suspect serious abuse of authority in this BC business because i fail to understand how the goverment would delay when they budgeted for it last year.Its possible that someone up there gets this mony and pputs in an investment such as interest yielding bank account,Treasury Bill,commercial paper or whatever investment vehicle they use and at the end of it all they yield interest.When it matures they give back the money.Its smart but its crime.
    Yes the whole system has to change we need a REVOLUTION,new ideas,new solutions to problems and

  94. It is unfortunate to hear of the rioting. Please, there is no need for students to harm innocent passersby. I hope this issue will be settled in a peaceful manner. How lucky are students to get meal allowances. Many students attending private colleges in Zambia don’t have such a luxury and you would be surprised at how many have to do odd jobs here and there just to survive as well as to solely fund their studies.

  95. I thought you guys just got a 50% increment. What more do you want. Some of us students abroad, the govt does not even care about us.I think you should use a more civilised way of resolving problems. For instance dialog. Throwing stones, blocking roads and damaging public property is ancient. Just disturbing innocent motorists and pedestrians.

  96. That programme ba real brains was scrapped off two years ago.But your suggestion is good i am sure the students are seeing the suggestions.The jobs can be there but the problem is that evrything these days is who you know , the unemployment rate is an evil that has clustered our beloved country even a job as a plumber,clerk,sweeper or whatever you need to know someone honestly how can we be living like this in this country?Corruption and bribery is all that surrounds this country.VIVA NEW AGE REVOLUTION!The old politicians cannot solve our present problems new minds and ideas are what are needed :-?:d/

  97. Can someone explain to me why it is that whenever UNZA students riot..they stone the cars of innocent motorists???..Next time they riot perhaps we should run a few over when they stone our vehicles!!!!!

  99. “Irate University of Zambia students Tuesday evening rioted and stoned some vehicles along the great East road. The students are demanding payment of their meal allowances by government.”
    Ba-monko naba moma mwavivuka futi lelo! I hope you were shown on ZNBC as usual. I wish some of you students could record the VIVA event and post it for us on YOUTUBE or send it to BBC for us to have a glimpse of what exactly happened. Please, shout if you need cameras for they can be provided to you! Extend VIVA for Mr Cardson Kabwe in Moscow to be attended to by the MMD GRZ.

    Our cousins, “Police are keeping vigil to maintain peace at the higher institution of learning”, let them suffer in the Rains.

  100. Why do they stone vehicles belonging to innocent people. This is madness. The school boys must be cast into prison cells. People pay tax so the same school chaps can have the education. Do they deserve damage to their property. Hopeless students. Grow up. People are sweating just to send you to school.

  101. UNZA students: Why do you stone innocent people whenever you ‘feel’ that you want some attention? Where is the maturity?

    Unza should consider installing CCTVs around the Goma lakes and capture trouble makers. No wonder a simple 4 year degree program takes six years to complete!! Sooner than later it will be another closure!!

  104. close unza,let us all go to the village and start farming.the govt. wil remain barking like male dogs looking for a female dog on heat :)>-:d:d/:((:”>:d:-\”:-w:((:((:((

  105. These students are really taking the piss,i think they should ask them to fend for themselves tukamone ifyo bakalachita riot.Govt should just let them have family sponsors so we see who is serious withlearning.And why targrt innoncent motorists ebamitweleko uko.Mwalitumpa sana bakapoli imwe.

  106. just close it they don’t want to learn they want to shoka malasha.ifimisango ububi.
    Let your parents pay for your food tukamone how many of you will stay there.meal allowance which you don’t even spend on food but beer and ifyamba.

  107. Ba government what is going on? I thought you said before elections that, you would solve this matter and other related issues at Unza!People will lose faith in you!

  108. nganifwebo fweba pa Russia we ?? just remained with bones ku nsala en we will now get frozzen wuth snow.no cash bige.yaba mwempombomwe.

  109. 😮 Good People!!! Stop pretending. That’s the only language the chain of government leaders listen to. They NEVER react to a simple plea. Viva ba Monk! You Zambians abroad should sit down and reflect on what went wrong for to even find yourselves working outside your own country. Most of you openly take pride in studying or working abroad …simply because you gave up – you couldn’t stand up for your rights! Viva mwe nstude!!!

  111. Interviewer: What did you graduate with from UNZA?
    Applicant: I did a double major sir. BA in Rioting and stone throwing
    Interviewer: ah! so you are one of those morons who stoned my vehicle?
    Applicant: Probably sir…

  112. Luapula Fish #119
    Are you justifying the fact that you can take a villager out of the village but you can’t take the village out of him? I need you opinion

  113. The Zambian government does not listen without VIVA. So I support students. This government is useless. Unless its taking terminally sick politicians to south africa, money is instantly found. VIVA students power.

  115. #101 you don’t know how the zambian government operates. Why didn’t someone come in open before the riot to say we will pay students on friday; but it has to take a riot to make such pronouncements. Which means they do it deliberately. So don’t just blame students blame the government.

  118. Unza is tough, unza requires pipo that eat Hippo or got bitten a hippo

    morelike you need to be tough and have patience to be there-ama strike, closure, BC etc

  121. Their parents should subsidise so we see wether they will continue nefimisango fyabupuba.Why do you target innocent motorists why don’t you go to statehouse?Its beenthe same year in year out

  122. #121: The parents do subsidise by paying to much tax which government misuse by paying for treatment of sick politicians abroad. The money they spend paying for these sick politicians is enough to pay all students per semester at unza and cbu. Where do you think ordinary parents will get the money when they are paid very little and most of them are out of employment because of the wrong policies by the same government? You think if you can eat 10 course meal even ordinary zambians can afford? Viva students.

  123. These chaps never learn. They think going to UNZA ninshi kwamba ukufola. Please study first and you earn will more bucks after studies than ka change you are rioting over. Please get back to the classroom and resolve the issue amicably before boma moves in and shut the institution.

  124. Its sad indeed.
    Guys you and me are the same.But please stop stoning the inosent ones and their vehicles.For once why can’t you go to professor LUNGWAGWA and stone his vehicle :((:((:((:((:((:((

  125. #123: How do you go to class without food for 3 weeks? Its here on LT where students in Russia complained bitterly when they were not paid for one or two months. Where else do you think students will get money. Its not like in developed countries where student can work and earn something. The shame should go to the government NOT students. You have run away from Zambia coz there is no money and you think students print money? No. They exhausted all possible channels to have their meal allowances paid but you know the system in our government. So what did you want students to do. Can’t you see the riot has even worked, they will be paid tomorrow.

  127. #126. If after exhausting all channels and nothing is working out, what do you do? You can even attempt to go to state house. The best way this government understand well is either a strike or riot.

  128. As much i share Unza guys’s disgust towards the Govt,i strongly diagree with their barbaric behaviour of always rushing to The East road and stone vehicles. I agree with Real Brain,Unza students are not humble at sll.They think they are the most educated and yet with the closures,they are just rendered half-baked.These guys go at lengths terrorising innocent tax-payers, Is that fair?. They are too pompous for nothing that they cant accept odd jobs.Its time these students adopted civilised ways of resolving problems as this a modern era.Is it lack of exposure that these guys behave like this? Students in civilised world(africa inclusive except UNZA)demonstrate peacefully.Such is life!!

  129. #128: Its not a matter of rushing to the streets but after exhausting all channels, the government always says there is no money meanwhile VJ, ETC are in south africa using the same mone. Who is more important, VJ or UNZA? Please understand the situation there. You can be exposed but as long as the govt does not care, you will find yourself in the same situation.

  130. Most of you bloggers tend to potray yourselves as knowledgeable,yet you not.How can someone say that we the tax payers blur blur,as if students themselves don’t pay tax.Tax is not just PAYE.Students surely pay tax through VAT.Ilya kambizi students buy there’s 17% VAT paid on most of those commodities.

  131. Milingo host a ‘Chiambretti night’
    The jealous wife wants to take it away
    “No woman naked next to him”
    The bishop was excommunicated host of the transmission of Italy 1. Maria Sung has not liked the sensual belly dancing and the performance of the singers in front of the husband. “Shame,” said the presenter and the study is raging finimondo
    Milan, 29 January 2009 – Out of the program in the recording of ‘Chiambretti night’, which hosted Monsignor Emmanuel Milingo. Maria Sung, a woman married in 2001 in a collective marriage, has tried to take away the bishop excommunicated after a dancer has performed a belly dance.

    From what has been learned everything went well for the first

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