The University of Zambia Student Board of Discipline has suspended Misheck Kakonde for the 2017/2018 academic year on allegations that he and other students masterminded protests by students that took place on 9th June, 2018.
Mr. Kakonde who is also Zambia National Students Union President will return to the University in 2018/2019 academic year.
University of Zambia students in June blocked parts of Great East Road and stoned motorists in a protest sparked by a 10 minute power outage which according to the power utility company Zesco was caused by an overload on the Roma Sub station.
“From 12th June 2018 to 11th September, 2018, the Committee had been fishing for evidence of my engagement in those protests, they kept us in suspense until we decided to carry the burden of students who protested by making an apology so as to have this matter put behind us”, Mr. Kakonde has said.
He explained that on19th September, 2018, he appeared before the Disciplinary Committee and re-stated that while he did not mastermind the demonstration, he was prepared to shoulder the burden of fellow UNZA students who went out to protest by rendering an apology.
He said in arriving at its verdict, the Board has stated that it has found him guilty based on his public apology aired by ZNBC on 11th September, 2018 and no any other.
Mr. Kakonde said he does not have an immediate intention to appeal against this suspension although he will seek audience with the Vice Chancellor over the decision by the Board to take away the credits earned in the 2017/2018 academic year.
“Even in civil service, it is a principle of natural justice that those suspended are entitled to half pay”, he added.
Mr. Kakonde has since appealed to all students to always remain calm and focus on their studies as some of them serve this suspension.
He has also called on students to always pursue dialogue or peaceful demonstrations that does not involve any violence or damage to public property whenever they intend to air their grievances.
And the Zambia National Students Union says it is yet to determine whether Mr. Kakonde is allowed to continue serving as its President or not.
Union General Secretary Isaac Mwanza is however disappointed that Mr. Kakonde had gis credits taken away.
Find the culprit for Vespers not this!
This Hooligan must be Expeled and charged with manslaughter. The Dimbest University students are at UNZA.
Don’t worry Misheck. Now you will be more famous than Nkandu Luo and Lungu
Govt should have given what was due to the students instead of ordering multi million dollar jets! Police are too heavy handed as well.
XXXX Princess – And you expect people to take your articles seriously?
Nubian Princess,
As an old product of UNZA, I have to register my protest at your insult – ” The Dimbest (sic) University students are at UNZA.” My foot! You are one of the few seemingly rational bloggers we have here. Don’t let me lose any vestige of respect I have for you.
Protests are part of the freedoms of expression and assembly. Why should he apologise or coordinating a protest. Since when did protests become illegal? They suspend a student before police have concluded investivations. That is also a violation of te right to due process. Was he even given a hearing. I though universities were places for the enlightened but there appears to be no difference between UNZA and Chisokone market.
But stoning innocent motorists cannot be part of freedom unless you live in a phools paradise. If they’re aggrieved go stone State House, Cabinet office or in this case Zesco itself. Those motorists pay taxes which part goes to the students meal allowances.
And they will still claim hh was behind this. At end of day our constitution is enshrined with the freedom of assembly and expression. Why should you stop these future leaders from demonstrating. It seems under pf there is no understanding of the difference between a riot and a demonstration. Even the same democracy you think u have means the demonstration of crazy= demo crazy.
Demos are part of life and are normal but damaging private and public properties is doesnt constitute freedom of expression and assembly. To be on the wrong side of the law means you will be met by excessive force and you will have no one to blame but yourself.
Demonstrations are the blood that gives life to democracy , even elections are a form of demonstrations that are even enshrined in a constitution of any Democratic country , a time when its legal to get rid of the ruling party. Without demonstrations democracy is dead.
Dont worry young man. Thats how future presidents are made. Not just opportunistic politicians who only show up after making money fraudulently.
Cornelius Mweetwa has leadership record but poor boy is broke and he has to bow down to crooks with money.
Am a non partisan political consultant
Suspend Akainde (HH) from politics and there will be peace in Zambia finally.
Ulichipuba how would you of the things think suspending HH, l don’t see sense in you
Ndiwe Galu yopusa
Too bad. Misheck is among endangered species in Zambia. The other one is the Rhino. But Misheck and current Zanasu have everythin 2 be proud of. U ve brother back student voice. Never mind these setbacks. And good message u sent out
I think the University Board of Discipline whatever its called isn’t serious. All the chaps who are identified as disturbing the academic activities and destroying private and public properties must be EXPELLED ans banned from entering Higher learning institutions.
Wgat will suspension of one academic year be a lesson to these criminals pretending to be students? Let HH and UPND sponsor them to other Universities abroad and lets see where it will take them.
Now am tired. Why is this govt making such unpopular and wrong decisions? Already PF has no support among students and u just go all the way to target student leaders???? #LuoMustFall. This kind of intolerance should not ve been seen under our humble leader who is also former UNZA student. Just so worried where we going at this point. Appears no one sees anything wrong in PF. Misheck and UNZA students, take heart. Temporaral setback?
Every sitting government in Zambia has always looked unpopular among students especially Unza Great East Road. Tell me which government has not experienced demos. Even at the time when Unza was well catered for, there ugly demonstrations which results in the incarceration of my big brothers like Jonas Mukimbi and Hamaaundu.
Ka ndanje olo ulikapuba kanshi walikwatako data of what used happen at unza during kk days.
What will happen if the Zambia police report says the riots were started by a named politician? Is he going to be re instated?
Its clear that people here are not sure of what they are commenting on.
This is a June case when students rioted for 10 minutes power outage.
Standing up to u Kakonde. very few would bear to carry burden of other student lawbreakers. u ve shown true quality of leadership. Zanasu has able leadership.
Comment:as usual most folks Haven’t been objective! they caused damage to private property. This is against the law of the nation. if this is democracy, then what is anarchy? It seems many contributors would prefer anarchy as long as it doesn’t affect them! But then again, that’s illussionary living, for it comes back to haunt you too! Respect for the law must be maintained, that’s what maintains humanity! if you can’t accept this then you don’t need to walk with humanity!!
I don’t know what New Educated Zambian would do if his car was damaged in the fracas. I guess he would get out of the damaged car and shout “Well done, aluta continue ” And there’s no insurance against riots.
Perhaps Lusaka Times can learn from this and many other stories they run that you need to avail much information to the reader.. not all of the readers read or head of June protests.. so start by highlighting what transpired and how the process to arrive at this students suspension was arrived at.. That would help alot. Thank you.
His tone of the langauage means to me that he was indeed the master mind. Cage him please
It’s a sad climate that life was lost more precious than property destroyed. However lasting solution should be found to check violent protests in public universities by students in future. Why should future leader behave in such a manner. Does our university train thugs or people who should take this country to a greater heights. No wonder Zambia is stagnant in terms of development because the would be leaders are already confused before they are given leadership
@Nubian … did you fail lamentably in your studies or social life? Always anti-student without any reasoning or rationale whatsoever. Just bitter diatribes.