We wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms the manner in which the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) government is handling the unfortunate situation at the Copperbelt University (CBU) which culminated in the ruthless beatings of students on Independence Day, 24th October 2015.
Instead of having honest open dialogue, the PF decided to send the police to terrorise and beat up students who were protesting peacefully, leading to the resignation of the PF CBU Chairperson Kingsley Chinyama. We roundly condemn the totally unacceptable police brutality which resulted in horrific injuries to the students.
Whilst we are aware that university students cannot be given license to misbehave, riot and damage private property such as vehicles, it is certainly not right for the government to be heavy-handed and beat up students who are protesting peacefully. Such acts lead to animosity and can cause instability in a nation and unnecessary disruptions of the academic calendar.
The PF government has been too slow to deal with this brewing crisis which had its origins in the CBU lecturers demanding for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma and his management team. The PF always wait until issues get out of control resulting in irrational, usually impulsive reactions such as their handling of the mining companies, Chitimukulu and Barotseland issues.
The lack of decisive action by PF caused a strike and led to the closure of CBU in the midst of an ongoing standoff between the government, lecturers and the Professor Ngoma administration. This inaction by the PF government is also adding fuel to the fire of the unresolved problems at University of Zambia and Mulungushi University.
Threats, intimidation, beatings, suspensions, removal of bursaries for students or dismissals of lecturers by government is a sign of poor weak leadership and lack of wisdom. The PF Government must understand that peaceful demonstrations are part and parcel of a democratic dispensation which cannot be wished away.
We are particularly concerned that this violence is happening a week after national prayers and fasting for peace and reconciliation from which we hoped Zambia would turn a new leaf in governance and other areas. It appears that the PF leopard cannot change its spots.
It seems the PF government under President Edgar Lungu is sliding towards more incompetence. Their confused style of leadership is what has led to the challenges now being faced in the mining sector resulting in unprecedented job losses. Just today, China Copper Mines announced that they are about to lay off 200 workers and have shelved plans to invest $50 million which would have increased employment to 1,000. Meanwhile the President has planned a wasteful trip to the Copperbelt where he shall camp for 5 days.
The entire President does not need to relocate to the Copperbelt to understand what is going on there in order to find solutions. Does it mean he will need to relocate to every province in order to have a good understanding of what is going on in every part of the country? This is totally unnecessary and just another excuse for wasting tax payers’ money. We cannot continue like this.
In 1991, the MMD ushered in a multi-party dispensation which came packaged with freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of movement to stop the very type of police brutality we have witnessed against the university students.
Lest anyone should forget, this was the order of the day during the One Party Dictatorship of the UNIP era. PF cannot and shall not take us backwards. Zambia is bigger than any one individual and we should do what is right for the nation and not for individuals.
We say no to Police Violence! Zambia shall be saved from police brutality under my government.
Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba
MMD President
Thats the repentance ,reconciliation and forgiveness we did a week ago.but am sure some zambians misunderstand LUNGU,just like he said he had NO vision ,you thought he was kidding.he says something but the opposite true.
@planzo
Kikilikilkikokokokokokekeke,,,,maybe Lungu misunderstood himself
Umwana ngataleumfwa kumulopola!
But is it not the same Never who sent his gang of thugs to go and beat Major Kachingwe? Today he claims to detest violence?????
So Dr. Mumba is now realising that “the PF leopard cannot change its spots”. He was condemining HH just the other day for not going to showgrounds.
@ndobo,thats what jameson does to same people.
Mumba sosa
THANK YOU DR MUMBA FOR TAKING THIS BRAVE STANCE AND DEFENDING THE HELPLESS STUDENTS. THESE STUDENTS WERE CARRYING OUT A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION! THERE IS NEVER A REASON TO USE BRUTAL FORCE TO QUEL VALID DISSENT AMONG THE CITIZENRY. GOVERNMENT SHOULD INSTEAD LISTEN TO THE HUMBLE CRIES OF THESE STUDENTS AND DO THE RIGHT THING. PLAINLY PUT THIS WAS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND IS A CRIME. WHERE ARE THE REST OF THE CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES? ZCTU NEEDS TO REGISTER THEIR POSITION ON THIS ISSUE. THE RELIGIOUS PHARISEES THAT PRAYED WITH LUNGU WHERE ARE THEY? HH, GBM AND UPND? PARLIAMENT ITSELF AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT?
Mukalamba wandi shi bwelela ku church Lesa alekulolela …
Spare the rod and spoil the child. Has Dr Nevers thought about the innocent proplebwho are injured or brutalised ir have their precious property damaged when these “educated” scoundrels riot? Are those innocent people less human than these scoundrels? What if those iddiots had succeed yo cause a political riot at freedom square? Think Nevers think with your head.
“Threats, intimidation, beatings, suspensions, removal of bursaries for students or dismissals of lecturers by government is a sign of poor weak leadership and lack of wisdom”.
Ba Dr. Mumba, I salute you for standing with the students. Only people who have never had their children and have seen education to be of less importance will always support PF mischief. How many are well educated in PF government? Ba Kambwili is to noisy and calls himself educated because of a honorary diploma he got from some school.
Even the so called police officer sent to beat up students, most of them are grade 12 PF cadre failures. Educated police officers can not accept to be used in that way.
I support Dr Mumba on this case. Never again should a political party intimidate Zambians into submission of agrreing to wrong undemocratic governance. Zambia is a multiparty and free country and should remain as such. When students demonstrate peacefully they should not met by panga wielding policemen who dont understand the reality of the economy they live in simply taking bribes.
Br Mumba any where in the world the students would have met thier fate.How do you disturb a national program and expect to be treated with golden groves , that is not wisdom.As a Pastor ,would you allow some one to come and damage your equipment when you are conducting a crusade because they want to exercise freedom.Some of these students are sponsored by the enemies of the state.They reap what they sow.If they want to demonstrate let them apply for a permit the police will escort them and no one will hurt.They are also free to write to relevant authorities or take the matter to court
Thought you were in PF government yourself , useless corrupt , foolish , dull and fake Dr Mumba . So called independce and Zambians are still beaten like cows . That’s your PF government enjoy our load shedding and useless Kwacha
Respect please – Mumba speaks sense without fear and favour. He is always positive for mother Zambia. Does not deserve your insults. God Bless you.
These pathetic fools think this is their country. wait for 2016 you *****s, wait for 2016 you shall scamper like fools as syakalima told you. As Zambians we are watching your foolishness
i am increasingly liking Dr Nevers Mumba, he always criticizes with objectivity and honesty. his statements are made without malice and debauchery.
@INE WINE……… Never is a finished politician. Kuwaya waya fye. Time waster! Put your trust in HH!! You never go wrong!
How peaceful are student demonstrations? those of us who have been to these institutions will tell you that students are rarely peaceful.
They have to be beaten if they misbehave.
Is is possible to use peaceful and demonstration in the same line. It is like saying good satan or anything. Like I always say, the day Zambians will learn to pay for services delivered to them will be the liberation of Zambia. The is no free or freedom anywhere in the world. In the USA the advocates of freedom you pay for everything that you get.
gentlemen let us be serious. honestly how can you feel after the government deducts tax from your hardly earned salary to pay these students bursaries and in your way back the same students stones your vehicle?
Dr Mumba well said. But you must follow it up with action. Instruct your lawyers to look through the pictures and video evidence and bring charges to all police officers using unreasonable force. The police can also do the same for students caught causing damage to property and stoning innocent vehicles. Freedom of expression is important in a democratic society. There is no excuse for police brutality on unarmed students. Modern policing methods are required.