The opposition UPND has challenged the PF Government to leave the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Coppebelt universities graduates alone on student loans.
And the UPND has promised to cancel all students loans when it forms government.
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka said the PF should apply austerity measures on the graduates as well as for imposing a job freeze.
Mr Katuka said instead, government should let the PF ministers who remained in office illegally pay back the money .
“Where do they think the poor youths will get money from when government has imposed a job freeze. The First Lady, Esther Lungu can afford tuition fees under distance learning at UNZA but the majority youths cannot because the PF have caused poverty by failing to create the jobs they promised the youths,” Mr Katuta said.
He said Ministers and PF MPs can also afford to take their children abroad to expensive universities yet poor Zambians have no money to pay for their children at local universities.
“Let Edgar Lungu stop unnecessary journeys and save the money he is using for travelling with his entourage to sponsor poor students. Lungu over borrowed money from everywhere and abused it. We warned them against borrowing for wrong purposes, they did not listen. Most of the PF surrogates called us bitter, now they will eat their bitter pill of Kaloba, balalipila.”
“For us in the UPND, education is an investment and not a cost as the PF takes it. When we are given a mandate, we shall ensure we cancel all the loans the PF are giving students. We shall ensure we offset all those loans the students have obtained. We shall provide free education. Lungu has no vision for this country. Am sure Zambians have now proven that.”
He said President Lungu and his Ministers should have morality.
“Why would a responsible leader want the poor people to pay when his corrupt government is abusing public funds. Ministers who remained in office illegally have not paid even after the court made a ruling. We would like to urge the graduates from these two universities never to pay the said loans,” he said.
“Why does Lungu want poor jobless youths to pay when his own Ministers have refused to pay what they illegally obtained from the people of Zambia? This is not fair. We must have a human heart.”
Ba Katuka….ati “When we form govt” kikikikikiki…… You can build universities in DUDUMWEZI where you will charge nothing Sir. Do not mislead us into temptation.
What message is this party sending? That it is ok to default on debt? One of these graduates might become President one day. This is why Lungu is irresponsible with borrowed money.
However, everything else this party is saying is true regarding the plunder and abuse of office by Lungu.
Government student loans are supposed to be PAID BACK! Developed countries like USA have government student loans, too. Even Obama used government student loans to support his education. In fact, student loans in America require the students to pay back the loans— with interest. But of course the circumstances in developed countries and Zambia are different in that Zambia has no jobs for the graduates. And you can’t require people who can’t find jobs to begin paying back their student loans. Where do you think they’ll get the money from. Steal? What the government can do is arrange with the graduates that once they find jobs, part of their taxes will include student loan repayment. Give them up to 5 or 10 years to pay off the loan. UPND ‘s unrealistic promise of free…
(Continued)… university education should not be taken seriously. And them encouraging graduates not to repay the government student loans is irresponsible, and just makes them appear irrelevant. The government should continue providing student loans to needy students. And the graduates should be made to repay back the loans upon getting employed, so other needy students can have access to the funds in the future. UPND, find real corruption by PF to oppose, instead of this one.
The students are part of the foreign debt we have as a country under this leadership. $15 billion dollars means each Zambian owes $1000 dollars. So each student owes $1000 in foreign debt + Student Loan. To be fair, let us payback the foreign debt first and then we start talking about domestic issues. Sort out the neighbour then sit down and discuss issues as a family. The students loans were paid through taxpayer’s money. As a taxpayer I say don’t push them now.
By the way, the universities have the names of students and guarantors. All they need to do is send letters informing the defaulters to pay. Why should Anthony Mwanza who is neither a government or university official issue statement?
Mmmmh! Iyi yeve mwachita over ba UPND. Memories of Sata promising money in people’s pockets within 90 days of being voted into office are still fresh. “Once beaten, twice shy” as the adage goes!
And why bring in the First Lady? Also, it is just s.illy to call Ester Lungu “First Lady” and call the President just “Lungu”. A serious opposition cannot hold a press conference to say this n.onsense. How can a serious opposition advise truancy? Instead of focusing on the problem – the inability of some students without employment to pay – the character go off tangent as usual.
And you think UPND with such shallow minded leaders such as Kainde,Katuka,Nkombo can form Govnt in 2021?kkkkkkkkk……dream on!!!Parliament passed that bill under Levy Mwanawasa in 2004 and many UPND MPs such as Jack Mwiimbu,the same Katuka were in support.So what has changed now?These are loans to benefit others and Govnt can only collect the money from those in employment-simple!!!UPND IS INDEED A CURSED PARTY!!THEY THINK ZAMBIANS ARE GULLIBLE-COME ON GUYS YOU CAN DO BETTER!!!Dont mix up issues with ministers saga or loans for other projects,no!!This is why you are called bitter creatures because you are fast to react to every issue before getting the views of majority Zambians!!!ON THIS ONE-UPND IS 100% WRONG JUST LIKE IN MANY ISSUES!!!
UPND keeps on doing same wrong things but hope…
So these clowns want UNZa and CBU students to use our tax payers money for free and not pay back. This is the same nonsense that destroyed Zambia Airways and ZCBC.
Don’t compare human capital to Zambia Airways and ZCBC. That is why you are now say Zambians can’t build roads, add value to copper before it is exported. You would rather have Chinese exploit us you unpatriotic …
Yaba!!! What a connection? Zambia Airways and ZCBC? How does asking former UNZA students not pay loans get connected to ZCBC and ZA? Whether someone tells them to pay or not pay, it is moot. They don’t work. What is wrong with Zambians failing to think? Is it really so hard to do? Tell us how you are connecting these companies to student loans at UNZA.
All loans whether at university or elsewhere need to be repaid so that others can also enjoy the same facility.
What was/is the collateral for one who gets a student loan? If it was jobs which are non existent then the loan beneficiaries are insolvent thus must be declared bankrupt! Write off the student loans and in all seriousness recover the money owing by the PF ministers who stayed in office illegally! Are Zambian courts blunt when it comes to effecting their rulings?
UPND…. clutching at straws!
What a dull SG! He keeps quiet when he should say something and says the wrong things when he opens his mouth. Mr. Katuka please compare your notes with Peter Sinkamba before you speak. Student Loans is an issue you can criticize without bringing in First Lady, minister’s payment or whatever else you said…Be Smart!
They are not called busy fooools for nothing!!
They think Tribe first before they talk on the issue! Dull!
I think let us not politicise the issue…..let us be responsible to pay back these loans..so that we can create a revolving fund for other students to benefit…..Even wen UPND will be in power..the system should ccontinue…….So let us pay back the these. loans…its not about PF govt…its putting these loan issues in the system..
Continue…..
UPND keeps on doing same wrong things but hope for different results doing elections-shame!!
Recall,they deceived themselves in 2016 that due to daily load shedding,weak kwacha,high mealie meal prices,high fuel price,loss of jobs at the mines,etc,MAJORITY ZAMBIANS IN URBAN AREAS WILL VOTE FOR HH-alas THE OPPOSITE HAPPENED!!!just recently,UPND said nobody can vote for a Miles Sampa because vendors were removed from the streets by PF Govnt.little did UPND know that many people are in support of Govnt by removing vendors from our streets-MILES SAMPA WON!!Am sure even on this loan issue,UPND is on offside-but lets wait and see!!!
There is a point…..why should poor jobless students payback loans when ministers refusing to back illigal pays as ordered by courts ?
And look at lungus last begging trip to china on a chartered plane with a party of about 20 useless ministers …..
Spot on UPND…..
I agree with your first paragraph badala.
Are all UNZA and CBU graduates from 2004 unemployed????? Aren’t there some who are self-employed? Anyway lets be realistic, no politicking and encourage all student loan beneficiaries who are now working to start paying back.
UPND is an EVIL H-ORGANISATION.
CHILDISH.
Th definition of bursary is as follows:an amount of money given to a person by an organization, such as a university, to pay for them to study. This definition does not mention that its a loan meant to pay back! How then are we going to start deducting from those who benefited from it? Lets go back to the drawing board and probably start giving students loans and make students sign to that effect.
A bursary is a lump of cash that’s awarded to students based on the financial support they can get from their parents. It works on a sliding scale, meaning students whose parents earn below a certain threshold will be entitled to receive more money than someone’s whose parents earn above it.A bursary will come directly from your SPONSOR(In this case the government ie GRZ) and the great news is…
You are looking but you have no eyes, who says these chaps are paying back bursaries.Read the article again mambala iwe!
Contd….. and the great news is that you won’t have to pay it back. Period!!
Under an industrious, vibrant and responsible government, free education at higher level especially at UNZA and CBU can be actualized. It is the massive debt trap we are entangled in, corruption, abuse and misappropriations of public funds and poor accountability that are the causal factors of the challenges we are experiencing. Lavish vehicles, addictive global touring by our leaders, etc are the root causes. The good news is that these a man made hence they can be addressed, the bad news is that not under PF.
…I am sure American or European tertiary education is not free for a reason and very expensive. Don’t fill your head with rubbish…
@JUST LOOKING:please dont just comment from without.Govnt stopped providing BURSARY in 2004 and introduced student loans under Levy Mwanawasa.Almost all MPs including these bantustan UPND MPs passed that bill in 2003 or 2004.So PF Govnt is just trying to implement this,so it has nothing to do with other loans or ministers saga!!UPND THINK THEY ARE SMART BUT IN THE END LOOK VERY FO0LISH!!!!Let them ask the students who entered public universities from 2004 to date if they dont know this issue.Us who entered the universities before 2003 were luck ones because we got a grant or bursary (not payable)!!!
Show the students the 500,000 jobs promised by lungu for 2016 and the 1.5 jobs pa lungu promised And they will gladly pay…
UPND have always missed the point. I think bu under five is still there. Where is GBM to help these people think normally.
We don’t say UPND is a COALITION FOR THE WICKED for nothing. Desperate to win! UPND can even sell their mother just to win an election.
Ba bantustan are really desperate ka! This is how far their desperation has reached, all for desiring the mandate? Mandate yali vuta bad
Katuka and UPND I’m with you on one point only. Let the former students pay back AFTER the ministers pay back earned salaries for their illegal stay in office.
The most prudent and relevant way of looking at this is for UPND to pressure the govt of the day to employ these graduates quickly in order to recover these loans. The govt should be encouraged to formulate formal and flexible recovery way.
As opposition avoid politicking all the time . As far as little Wisdom is applied be practical rather than opposing all the time.
Be relevant via opportunity seizure.
The students loan scheme is the only way forward .It happens in other countries of the world.
Otherwise, the bursuries scheme which worked well many years ago is not sustainable any more and the scheme has not been spared from corruption by its administrators.
Government could afford back then as UNZA had less than 5000 students and UNZANDO now CBU had about 500 students .
Today UNZA has about 22 000 students and CBU approximately 14 000 students.
Infact, this student loan scheme should be accessible to all willing students in Government Universities as well as those in Private Universities .
UNZA and CBU are not the only universities in this country any longer.
Taxes are not paid by parents of students that go to UNZA and CBU only .
Therefore , the loan scheme is here to…
UpAndOWN, the bantustans always oppose foolishly! They opposed debasing of the Kwacha,talked rubbished about road shedding, road building all these the bantustan party opposed. But today they are enjoying as for campaigns in the country sides.Look at Mongu Malabo road which mmd under fat john failed actualise. The so called rich countries give loan to students and they psy back as soon as they start working. Free education brings standards down, infrastructure to deplorable condition!So this party has no visit on for the country and the Zambians!
Its none of your business where ministers take their children for education! This argument is childish and retrogative!Even if had a chance you would do the same katuka
Cheap politicking by the UPND. Formi government is pure wishful thinking. For how long have you been saying “when we form government” without even getting nearer to getting there? Even in America student loans are paid back in one way or the other.
UPND stands for UNITED PARTY FOR NINCOMPOOPS AND DUNDERHEADS. Mr. Katuka your level of reasoning at your age is quite pathetic. A man at your age must know that a loan, of whatsoever form, must be paid back for others to benefit including your own grandchildren if you have any. The problem with UPND is that you politicize everything even when the issue is very simple and straight forward. This kind of politics is not inspiring at all, no wonder no sane Zambian is taking UPND seriously. You are a bunch of nincompoops and dunderheads with nothing to offer to inspire confidence in your leadership. For now we shall allow PF to continue in government in 2021 and beyond until you change your kind of politicking.
@Alexander, Thanks! I forgot! UNITED PARTY FOR NINCOMPOOPS AND DUNDERHEADS (UPND)
Iwe mbuli dont become a fool
The way u ar looking ati free education..where? is not hakahivotela also not just investing
Are these loans payable only after students get a job ? And at what salary levels should students earn before start paying back ?
Let’s hear it from the rats ??
Will a cow get it when I explain, finally?
This gross irresponsibility on your part sir and sheer luck of understanding of people management
Bo “Spaka like lilo”,the politics done by UPND are evil and do not inspire majority Zambians, hence the electoral losses you have been getting since 2006!!!UPND ALWAYS MIX UP ISSUES!!!YOU NEED TO BE SPECIFIC OR SIMPLE THE WAY MICHAEL SATA WAS!!!JUST BLAMING PF GOVNT FROM WITHOUT SHALL NEVER WIN KAINDE THE PRESIDENCY-MARK MY WORDS!!!The issue at hand here is “student loan”.which must be repaid by those who benefited from 2004 and have jobs now.Govnt has not said that even those graduates minus jobs should pay-NO!!
So why talk about ” ministers taking kids abroad,ECL going to china with many ministers,etc”.SUCH ISSUES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH “STUDENT LOANS”.Look,even Katuka or Nkombo if they were ministers or had money,they would also send their kids abroad for school.UPND SHOULD…
Show the students the 500,000 jobs promised by lungu for 2016 and the 1.5 jobs pa lungu promised And they will gladly pay…
Nkombo,Katuka,Mucheleka,GBM,Kainde himself are fighting day and night to grab power from PF so that they can also come and better their lives once in power!!!Hence,the talk of current ministers sending kids abroad should not come from these politicians because they are all after money-period!!
We have had enough lies from politicians,so only real issues and past records are what make us vote.PF Govnt has done a lot since 2011 and we are seeing those good fruits,hence voting for them.But there is still room for PF to do better!!!IF UPND IS TO GRAB POWER FROM PF,THEY NEED TO PULL UP THEIR SOCKS UNLIKE THEIR DAILY NONSENSE SUCH AS THOSE ISSUES ABOVE!!
Twala chi vivula!
Just admit the GRZ coffers are empty if it is help you need to support tertiary institutions say so than issuing threats!
The same way you want IMF and Chinese bailout, you should shelve the idea and consult! Just because USA and UK use student loans, that does not mean it will work in Zambia! USA and UK are not our level! Don’t compare Lizards with Crocodiles! These Loans are a result of the debt squeeze we have brought on ourselves as a country due to insatiable appetite for bl00d money!
THE MISTAKE MADE IN ZAMBIA IS THAT ALL SOCIAL SERVICES ARE FREE. LOOK AT HEALTH FOR EXAMPLE. WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO OFFER FREE HEALTH. WE SHOULD START LEARNING TO PAY EVEN A ONE KWACHA FOR EVERY HOSPITAL VISIT. MEANWHILE PEOPLE CAN MANAGE TO BUY AND DRINK CHIBUKU EVERY DAY. EVEN THE ONES WHO ARE NOT EMPLOYED. BUT WHEN THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL, THEY WANT TO GET FREE SERVICES, FREE CONSULTATION, FREE DRUGS. IT IS NOT FAIR, IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. ON BORROWED MONEY. FREE MEDICALS FOR EMPLOYMENT, FREE MEDICALS FOR GOING TO SCHOOL ABROAD, FREE MEDICAL FOR FOOD HANDLERS…..LAB REAGENTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. THE VERY VULNERABLE LIKE UNDER 5 CHILDREN OR SENIOR CITIZENS OR THOSE UNDER SOCIAL WELFARE ON A CASE TO CASE BASIS CAN HAVE FREE HEALTH. BUT NOT EVERY ONE. THE FACT…
True… We need to improve in this area… It’s all our fault.
How does PF classify the money the Ministers were ORDERED to pay back;
ARE THEY LOANS OR STOLEN MONEY??????????????????
Wow… Finally my tax will be returned and be used to help others. Am happy.. I support that move the government as taken. People must support this move.. it will help to even bring success to our economy.
For Zambia to develop all money should be profitable for all Zambians not a minority few. I contribute to the education of these students so that they can help the nation besides themselves. But now that money I gave u .. sorry I need it back so that I can help others like u..
It’s not a free service it’s just support in areas u failed to manage. But it’s time to pay back. Others need it. It’s no politics for you low thinkers ..it’s about returning the community social responsibility I made so that I can help others too.
PF needs serious lawyers who respect the law and tell the erring ministers to pay back money illegally paid to them as per the ConCourt ruling
UPND needs serious political scientists in their ranks coz analysis is poor. U need to know wen to politicise n wen not too.
This is what seperates underfive politicians from mature parties. UPND should have rather kept quiet, so that some people can give them a benefit of doubt that they are actually wise, but as it is they have let the cut out.
But these upnd trib.als also. Look you dunderhead trib.al disciple Katuka, if you accept that Madam Esther Lungu is the First Lady, then it follows that Edgar Lungu is President Edgar Lungu, simple imwe bangwele. Kanshi bu dalu bwafuma kwisa abanensu ba upnd aba?
This face represents NINCOMPOOPS.
For our country to develop, we must learn to pay back what we have borrowed. It is a kind of discipline which our children must develop right from the beginning. Student loans must be paid back to help others. Banks, ceec, all lending institutions are struggling because people like Katuka are refusing to pay back what they have borrowed. Ministers should not pay back the salaries because they worked for it. In conclusion, UPND should not be entrusted with governance because they immature.
ZAMBIA HAS ENDED UP IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS BECAUSE WE ARE OFFERING EVERYTHING FOR FREE. FREE EDUCATION, FREE HEALTH SERVICES. FREE DRUGS. IT IS SO FUNNY THAT IN BORDER TOWNS, FOREIGNERS COME TO ZAMBIA FROM CONGO, ANGOLA, MALAWI TO GET FREE HEALTH SERVICES AND FREE EDUCATION AND GO BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES. WE BORROW MONEY TO GIVE IT FOR FREE…MMMMH!!!! WHAT KIND OF REASONING IS THAT. IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE MWEBANTU. LETS NOT JUST GO FOR CHEAP, UNSUSTAINABLE POLITICAL MILEAGE. YES. THOSE MINISTERS NEED TO PAY BACK ALSO. TWO WRONGS CANNOT MAKE A RIGHT. IF HH IS A REAL ECONOMIST WORTH VOTING FOR, HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS.IN FACT IT WILL MAKE HIS LIFE EASIER IF EVER, IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT HE EVER ENTERS STATE HOUSE.
What is Loan imwa ba upnd?
Def: A loan is the lending of money by one or more individuals, organizations, and/or other entities to other individuals, organizations etc. The recipient (i.e. the borrower) incurs a debt, and is usually liable to pay interest on that debt until it is repaid, and also to repay the principal amount borrowed. Stop deceiving People imwe ba makaka!
In developed countries students pay back their loans sorry cheap politicking.Yes, in Zambia,previously people never used to pay.We don’t want government to accumulate debts and make other people pay for them
Yes we cannot be suffering because of these students
Fellow Zambians I truly now believe that who ever bewitched zambians is dead and very cruel. Listen carefully to wat Upnd is saying. Tell me realistically were are these former students going to get the money. OK if u want take them to court they will not be able to pay. Now here is a bunch of former ministers who got all the salaries,allowances, fuel, mention them no one is talking asking them to pay back even after the court ordered them to pay back. All pf guys have turned their guns on the statement by Upnd instead of saying bwana minister please pay back. The students will pay when the get jibs for now forget its not possible.PLEASE ZAMBIANS LETS RAISE ABOVE THIS CHEAP politicking AND BE REAL IN OUR DISCOURSE. UPND IS SAYING BEFORE WE EVEN PUNISH THESE POOR BOYS AND GIRLS LET THOSE…
UPND is right. Loans will be recovered from the high PAYE which the graduates will be subjected to once in employment. How do you expect graduates who are roaming streets to pay back loans? Learn from South African student bursary scheme.
But Zambians, you really amaze me, Lungu is making all the wrong decision regarding this country and here you are always castigating HH just because of maybe one mistake he made, no matter how sensible he talks, you cant get any sense out of it, bane, woke up, we are slowly heading no where with this Lungu Government and all his stupid decision that you are supporting him to make, are you even aware that Lungu is selling ZESCO, Zambians, whats wrong with you, do you think you are going to enjoy this your peace if Chinese takes over this country, prevention is better that cure, lets start fighting for our freedom before its too late, put all differences aside and start working with yours heads to find better solutions for this country, then you will realise how bad this PF government has…
your HH has never said anything sensible so far. Maybe he will in 2034. Then I will vote for him
Your man has never said anything sensible so far. May be he will do in 20190
I will vote for HH in 2034 as well. He must keep on working hard on his tribal H-Agenda.
There is nothing right your moronic leader has said.He condemned the building of roads, Kwacha rebasing,now repayment of loans. Free things Kaunda promoted is the cause of these economic problems the country is going through now. Thanks to the first MMD government for the setting theminfd of Zambians in 1991 to 2001!!
This is the UPND which today they will condemn govt for introducing new taxes in order to increase revenue but at the same time condemn govt for delaying public service salaries!!!
Is it politics at its best?
ChumbuChandala, introducing new taxes will not solve all these problems that Pf has created, it will just hurt people even more, lets look for viable solutions man, why not charge to tax to foreign Mining companies who are going away with our resources for free, why punish Zambians for the sake of feeding greed and selfish Lungu desires, he ate the money alone, why should we be punished for something that we don’t know, it is better to remove Lungu from Government and bring in someone who is going to turn around this country, otherwise lungu wanu uyu wakangiwa mwandi, unless you people are not in Zambia and are not seeing what is happening, he has turned out to be more dangerous than we thought, we underestimated him
On this one I am going to be as objective as possible:
1) I agree with UPND that the PF Ministers pay back the money they got while purporting to be in Office. Please Mr Lungu tell your Ministers to pay back otherwise they will be jailed when PF is out of Office.
2) I dont agree with UPND that the Loans which student got must not be paid. My take is that at all cost the Loans have to be paid. Let GRZ deduct from salaries of those working either formerly or inform. This is because the money is a revolving fund for all Zambians.
3) Those who are not working at all..must be exempted until they start working.
THEY PF GOVERNMENT SHOULD STOP WASTING MONEY ON ANTONIO MWANZA AND SUNDAY CHANDA…..
Comment:take into consideration the salary scale…how do you expect someone earning 3500 to pay back…he/she might as well stop working
A loan can be negotiated.
yaba UPND iwe naumwe.U think we are too stup—id to belive yo lies.We need a good opposition not these fake politicians in UPND driven by ruling only.They want to rule chapwa.what kind of thinking is that?Nowonder it will be very difficult for u to rule Zambia with such thinking
Very irresponsible indeed. You know what he’ll next? Ignore bills from Nkana, Kafubu, Mulonga, Lusaka etc water and Sewerage company. Please just step down if you have run out of ideas and let people with fresh and mature brains. Don’t take Upnd in oblivion because if you do history will judge you harshly.
Even villagers are not gullible. Self-serving politics are a thing of the past. If you are not seen as uplifting the nation, forget about being handed the mandate. Even cries of rigging will be silently ignored.
Why are you mentioning Esther Lungu in this article. Is esther Lungu part of the people running the GRZ?