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Kakoma challenges Police on why only PF can hold meetings without notice

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Charles Kakoma
Charles Kakoma

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

MEETINGS ARE NOT THE PRESERVE OF THE PF

Comments from the Northern Province Police Commissioner Bonny Kapeso this week reveal the extent to which widespread abuse of the Public Order Act is fast becoming a routine feature in our politics. Thanks to the PF our peace, unity and future as a democracy is now also starting to fail, as our economy has done under their leadership.

The Commissioner’s claims that only the PF can hold meetings without notice contravenes the rights and freedoms we are all entitled to in our own country. That we should not be able to move, meet and share our message with others, while the PF flies from place to place at the taxpayers expense, is unacceptable. And what is even more shocking about this statement is that he is saying the PF is above the law.

We would like to remind Mr Kapeso that the police are there for the protection of all Zambians, regardless of affiliation, and that the values of the Zambian Police supposedly include impartiality, human rights, integrity and professionalism. They are the Zambian Police Service, not the PF Police Service.

That they respond to peaceful meetings with violence and aggression is another crime. There is no justice for anyone outside of the PF. Anyone would think that we are now living under a dictatorship.

All this points to the fact that the PF is running scared. Having abused their power for so long they have forgotten how a democracy really works and that the Zambian people will judge them on the track record come 11 August 2016. With less than 6 months to go until elections we advise them to refocus on this. The Zambian people will not reward them for this intimidation and disruption of the peace.

Finally, it is important to remember these actions do not only harm the immediate victims, but that this manner of governance harms us all by undermining our development prospects. At the very time when we must be uniting and seeking stability in every way we can to tackle our economic challenges with shared strength, the POA and its abuse by the PF is dragging us down. We want to challenge President Lungu to immediately take action against this senior officer who clearly does not understand what he is doing. If no action is taken, it goes without saying that these actions will then be said to have the blessing of President Lungu.

Charles Kakoma
UPND Chairperson for Media

The water level in the Kariba Dam still low-Inonge Wina

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ZESCO Limited officials inspect the waters at Lake Kariba where the utility firm generates power
ZESCO Limited officials inspect the waters at Lake Kariba where the utility firm generates power

Vice President Inonge Wina says the water level in the Kariba Dam have not yet reached the required quantity for ZESCO to minimize or stop load shedding.

The Vice President says this is despite the country receiving adequate rains in some parts such as North-Western Province.

Ms. Wina says the Zambezi River Authority will advice both Zambia and Zimbabwe as the two countries share the Kariba dam.

She also pointed out that the country should be aware that experts have advised that the Kariba dam will require three good rainy seasons for the water to reach its optimum levels.

The Vice President was answering a question from Kalomo MP Request Muntanga who wanted to know why there is still massive load shedding when water in Kariba dam has reached the required levels.

And Vice President Inonge Wina says the country’s maize reserves are adequate to last up to August 2016.

The Vice President says President Edgar Lungu has however indicated that Government is monitoring the situation and that should there be need to import maize the country is ready to undertake the exercise.

Mrs Wina says there are no conflicting statements coming from Government on the country’s maize stock.

This was in response to a question raised by Mumbwa Member of Parliament Brian Chituwo during the Vice President 30 minutes question time.

Brigadier General Chituwo wanted the Vice President to clarify conflicting statement on maize in the country.

And the Vice President said government machinery is moving on well and adequately funded.

Mrs Wina however, said there is need for people to note that Government has diverted a lot of funds to importing electricity, an expense that was not budgeted for.

She pointed out that Government is not broke as all projects are adequately funded.

Mrs Wina was responding to a question from Monze MP, Jack Mwiimbu who asked the Vice President if Government was broke and that is why it has not funded the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Manyinga- Jimbe road will open up trade with Angola – Mulusa

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Zambia Association Women in Constructions (ZAWIC) President Dorothy Mulwila speaks to Special Assistant for Project and Monitoring to the President Lucky Mulusa at State House when they called on him
Zambia Association Women in Constructions (ZAWIC) President
Dorothy Mulwila speaks to Special Assistant for Project and Monitoring
to the President Lucky Mulusa at State House when they called on him

Special Assistant to the President for project monitoring and implementation Lucky Mulusa says the Manyinga-Jimbe road which connects Zambia to the neighbouring Angola will open up trade between the two countries once worked on.

And construction of a 132 kilovolts power station project in Mwinilunga district that will connect north western province to the national power supply grid has advanced.

Mr Mulusa says the Manyinga – Jimbe road is of vital importance as it will help to generate revenue through trade and other developmental projects in the country.

He was speaking in Mwinilunga yesterday when he inspected the readiness on commencement of work by FRECA Mining and Manufacturing Limited a company contracted to upgrade 106 kilometre lot three Manyinga-Jimbe road up to bituminous standard at a cost of US$ 100 million.

Mr Mulusa expressed happiness that the contractor is ready to start the works looking at the machinery they have mobilized on site.

And FRECA Mining and Manufacturing Limited representative Richard Mukuyanga said the project is a 24 months upgrading of 100 kilometre lot three of the Manyinga-Jimbe road which starts from Kawiku in Mwinilunga to Jimbe boarder in Ikelenge district.

Mr Mukuyanga said works will start soon after ground breaking ceremony.

Mr Mulusa during the tour also inspected the works on the upgrading of 16.1 kilometre township roads to bituminous standards by China-Civil Engineering Corporation which are under way.

District Planning Officer Mwewa Libwesha said works have started at a cost of k120 million as the contractor has mobilized on site.

Mr Libwesha said the project is a 14 months contract adding that road clearing and markings to set out the routes have commenced.

And the construction of a 132 kilovolts power station project in Mwinilunga district, that will connect north western province to the national power supply grid, has advanced.

The project which is being undertaken by ELTEL Transmission Company will cost government 163 US dollars.

Special assistant to the President for project implementation and monitoring Lucy Mulusa said this after inspecting the project site yesterday that once completed the project will boost power supply to the province.

Mr. Mulusa said the project is one of the biggest under taking that government has done in the province which will steer up economic and social activities in the province.

The project will connect Mwinilunga, Mufumbwe Kabompo Zambezi and Chavuma districts and Lukulu in western province.

The districts are currently serviced by diesel generators and ZESCO is spending 8 US dollars per year to supply electricity to the districts.

ELTEL Transmission Company site supervisor Nicholas Kapalu said the 190 kilometre power pylons from Lumwana Mine have reached the power station in Mwinilunga while construction works on the transmission house stands at 50 per cent complete.

Mr Kapalu said the power station will be ready for use by August this year.

Stop politicizing government projects- Chieftainess Nkomesha

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Chieftainess Nkomeshya
Chieftainess Nkomeshya

Chieftainess Nkomesha Muka Mambo of the Soli people in Chongwe District has advised PF cadres to stop politicizing government projects in the country.

Speaking when she gave a vote of thanks after Government handed over a relatives shelter to Chongwe District Hospital her Royal Highness said government projects do not belong to political parties.

She said politicizing government facilities has the potential of scaring away other would be user once they feel they would not be welcomed by those perceived to be the owners of the facilities.

She said government projects are for all the people regardless of their political or religious inclination further adding that Republican President Edgar Lungu was the President for the republic regardless of their affiliations hence had a duty to all Zambians.

“I just want to say that this facility should not be highly politicized because if you do that it will scare other people within our communities this is what I am asking. I am saying let it be an institution for the people who have the sick in there. Let be a facility for everyone no matter there their affiliation whether political or religious. This is a government project so let remain so and this appeal goes to you my sons and daughters who will be using this facility,” she said.

Her Royal Highness further said the facility will add the dignity to bed siders who were spending nights in the cold when waiting for the sick.

Her concern came after PF cadres chanted PF slogans while mocking the opposition UPND and sang praises for President Edgar Lungu.

Meanwhile government has handed over a 24 bed space capacity Mukosha relative shelter at Chongwe District hospital on Friday.

The shelter was built at the cost 1 million kwacha by the Zambia National Corporation Limited.

Speaking during the hand over ceremony health minister Joseph Kasonde said government will soon start constructing six district hospital staff houses at a cost of 3 million Kwacha.

Dr Kasonde thanked National Airport Corporation limited for supporting the project and the shelter was a much needed facility at the hospital as it serves patients from a wider catchment which makes it difficult for bed siders during the time of nursing the sick relatives.

He said government will always partner with corporate partners who have a Vision to help Zambians to live a health life which is in line with government’s vision.

Speaking earlier Zambia National Airport Cooperation Limited Chairperson Mubanga Musakanya said the Project is part of the organization’s cooperate social responsibilities and the Cooperation believes in working with genuine strategic partners as well as the community in building a better future for all.

In pic, health Minister and chieftenesse Nkomesha

RTSA, RDA and LCC start pulling down hazardous billboards

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RTSA on duty in Lusaka
RTSA on duty in Lusaka

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Lusaka City Council (LCC) have embarked on an exercise to remove all billboards that obstruct the road.

On Thursday, the three agencies razed down billboards on Great East Road and Addis Ababa Drive that were obstructing road users.

RTSA Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko told Journalists that the agencies were acting on complaints from members of the public.

Mr Soko said the billboards must be at least 2 metres high off the ground so as to give the motorists and pedestrians a good view of the road.

He regretted that most billboards have been mounted less than a metre off the ground thereby being hazardous to the road users by way of obstruction.

RTSA pulls down billboards in Lusaka
RTSA pulls down billboards in Lusaka
Billboards been pulled down
Billboards been pulled down

JCTR backs grade 12 clause in the constitution

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jctr

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) in Northern Province has expressed its disappointment for revision of a Grade-12 minimum qualification for people seeking public office in the country.

JCTR regional coordinator, Felix Chiwela says it is unfortunate that some politicians are not comfortable with the Grade 12 qualification when it was passed by Parliament last year.

Mr. Chiwela wondered why some political parties were now condemning the clause for minimum qualification for individuals seeking to be
elected Councillors or Members of Parliament when they in-fact advocated for the same in the past.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Kasama today that Government should not to rescind its decision on the matter, adding that doing so may go against the
wishes of majority Zambians who are comfortable with the clause.

Mr. Chiwela observed that the reviewing the Grade 12 clause in the constitution will also increase levels of illiteracy in the nation as
some people may not value the importance of education to national development.

The JCTR regional coordinator has since urged some politicians who do not have G12 certificates to go back to school and obtain the qualification in
order to add value to political dispensation of the country.

Of late, there has been a debate among sections of society regarding the constitutional requirement for one to hold a minimum of Grade 12
in order to seek for election to public office.

Bank of Zambia keeps policy rate unchanged, confirms economy has shrunk

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BANK of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya
BANK of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya

The Bank of Zambia has maintained its monetary policy rate unchanged at 15.5 percent.

Governor Denny Kalyalya also revealed that the economy grew at only 3.6 percent in 2015 against a target of 7 percent.

Dr Kalyalya said the country’s gross domestic product is expected to slightly increase to 3.7 percent this year.

He said during a quarterly news briefing that growth of around 3.6 percent is way too low.

Dr Kalyalya said one of the reasons why the Central Bank has left the policy rate unchanged is to address the volatility in the exchange rate.

He said the Bank of Zambia expected the economy to recover to around 6.5 percent in the medium term, while inflation would ease to between 10 percent and 15 percent by the end of this year.

Below is Dr Kalyalya’ s statement in full.

boz1

boz2

boz32

boz33

Zambia U17 gets bye in 2017 CAF U17 Cup qualifiers

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Zambia enjoy a preliminary round bye in the Madagascar 2017 CAF Under-17 Cup qualifiers that kickoff this June.

Young Chipolopolo enter the qualifiers in the first round this August where they await the preliminary round winner between Djibouti and Sudan.

Should Zambia advance from the first round, they will face winner of the first round clash where Cameroon await the result of the Malawi versus Kenya preliminary round match.

Winner from the second round will qualify for next years finals in Madagascar.

Zambia will be embarking on trying to qualify for their second CAF Under-17 Cup after making their debut in Niger in 2015 where they made a group stage exit.

Meanwhile, Zambia Under-20 will be on a diet of friendlies as they will be hosting the 2017 African Youth Championship.

There will be No Voter Registration after February-Inonge Wina

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VICE President Inonge Wina gives her speech during the official opening of International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) meeting of Ministers of Justice on domestication of ICGLR of protocols at Zambezi Sun Hotel in Livingstone Yesterday. On the right is Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula and ICGLR Secretary General Antonio Bembe.
VICE President Inonge Wina

Government says continuing the voter registration beyond February 29 would adversely affect the 2016 general elections time table.

Vice President Inonge Wina explained that continuing with the voter registration put the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) in a position of not being able to certify the final register of voters by July 31, 2016.

Mrs. Wina however, said all eligible persons who will turn 18 years by July 31, this year and have their particulars appearing in the final register of voters will qualify to participate in the August 11 general elections.

The Vice President said this in parliament today when she issued a ministerial statement on the 2015/2016 voter registration exercise.

Mrs. Wina added that the provisional registers of voters is expected to be completed by 5th may, 2016 in readiness for inspection by members of the public from 15 to 21 may, while certification of the final register of voters would be done on 31July, 2016.

She regretted that the planned mobile voter registration which would have taken place for 14 days from 16th to 29th February, this year can no longer take place.

The Elections body registered about 1.7 million new voters as at December 13, 2015, representing 93.75 percent of the targeted figure.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has implored Zambians to register now as their will be no further extension of registration of voters after 29th February this year except at district and civic centres .

ECZ public relations manager Crispin Akufuna explained that the commission lacks funds to facilitate the extension of the mobile voter registration.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Akufuna noted that any extension of the voter registration exercise would negatively impact on the already set election schedule.

To this effect, He added that consequently, the commission would not be able to certify the voters’ register by 31st July this year if it went ahead with continuous voter registration.

Mr. Akufuna pointed out that data of all the registered voters collected from the field has to be processed in readiness for the inspection of the provisional voters’ register.

The Elections body however assured the nation that voter registration will continue at all Districts Civic Centres until 29th February this year.

Mr Akufuna urged the general public to take advantage of the remaining two weeks from February 16 to 29 , this year to register as voters.

He said inspection of the provisional register for electorates will run for one week starting from 15th to 21st May this year.

Defiler jailed 15 years

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court

THE Kabwe High Court has sentenced a 21-year-old man of Serenje to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling his 16-year-old girlfriend.
John Mutewa, who defiled his girlfriend between November 26 and December 10, 2014, in Serenje, pleaded for leniency, saying he committed the offence while having a love affair with the minor.
Mutewa was, however, handed a 15-year jail sentence by Kabwe High Court judge-in-charge Dominic Sichinga
“In exercising leniency, I will sentence you to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour from the date of your arrest, February 2, last year,” Mr Justice Sichinga said.
The judge informed Mutewa that the offence he had committed had a minimum jail sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
During trial, the girl testified that Mutewa proposed to her in a love letter but she initially turned him down.
She said she later accepted Mutewa’s love proposal after he sent his younger sister to persuade her.
She told the court that a few days later, she went to his place where he used force to defile her.
The girl said after he defiled her, he told her that the relationship was over.
Meanwhile, a-56-year-old deputy head teacher at Chiwempala Primary School, who allegedly defiled a grade five pupil aged 10, has pleaded not guilty, CHINOYI CHIPULU reports from Chingola.
Benson Phiri of Kabundi East Extension popularly known as “Dindadinda” was arrested last week after the victim revealed the ordeal to her mother.
Phiri appeared for plea on Monday before senior resident magistrate Davies Chibwili.
The court room was fully packed by teachers from different schools and residents who went to witness the court proceedings.
“Your honour, I understand, but I deny the charge, I did not do anything,” Phiri said in his plea.
Mr Chibwili adjourned the matter to March 2 for commencement of trial.
Particulars of the offence are that on unknown dates, but between January 1, 2016 and February 1, 2016, Phiri had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl below the age of 16.

(DailyMail)

Zesco vs Al Ghazalla game delayed til Sunday

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Zesco United’s match against Al Ghazala of South Sudan at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will be delayed for 24 hours.

The 2016 CAF Champions League preliminary stage, first leg match was due to be played on Saturday February 13 but will now be played on Sunday at the same venue.

“Zesco United regrets to announce that the preliminary round match between the club and Al Ghazlla Wau FC of South Sudan has been postponed to Sunday, 14 February, 2016,” Zesco United spokesperson Katebe Chengo said.

“The postponement has been made at the request of the Sudanese club who missed their flight.

“Al Ghazalla are now expected to arrive in Ndola tomorrow, Saturday, 13 February, 2016 via Ethiopian Airlines at a time to be announced.”

Sunday’s game will also be Zesco’s first competitive game of the 2016 season.

Meanwhile, Al Ghazala will host Zesco in the final leg on February 26 in Juba.

Meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican will strengthen my Catholic Faith-Mumbi Phiri

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Mumbi Phiri shaking hands with Pope Francis
Mumbi Phiri shaking hands with Pope Francis

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri says meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican would strengthen her Catholic faith and would be a memory to hold on to for the rest of her life.

Mrs Mumbi, who was part of the delegation that accompanied President Edgar Lungu to Italy and France, said it was a privilege for her to meet the Pope as an ordinary citizen.

“As a Catholic it has given me honour and I know I am truly favoured by God, ” she said.

She was thrilled by the treatment the Zambian delegation received at the Vatican.

She added that unlike the normal custom and treatment given to people accompanying any head of state that visited the Vatican, President Lungu’s entourage was allowed to meet the Pope inside the Vatican.

“Usually what happens is that the people that accompany the president or any important person to see the Pope are not allowed to go inside; he comes out to meet them from the library but for us we were allowed to go in and see him.

“For me this was an experience I can’t even explain because I was given such a warm reception when I went there just as an ordinary member of the country, ” Mrs Mumbi said.

She added that President Lungu was favoured as he was the first Zambian leader invited to meet the Pope.

The PF deputy secretary said the visit was unique as the cardinals who received them revealed to them that the time Pope Francis took to meet President Lungu was unusually long as most visitors were given less time.

“When we arrived at the Vatican it was unique, even the cardinals who received us told us that even the time the Pope spoke with our President, the 20 minutes or so, was too much,” she explained.

She thanked the President for according her an opportunity

Kitwe City Council to Levy Street Vendors as a Revenue Source

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Street vendors conducting their business in Kitwe
Street vendors conducting their business in Kitwe

Kitwe city council has introduced penalty levies for street vendors effective yesterday, February, 2016.

Kitwe City Council Public Relation Officer, Donna Mbalwe, said the decision by the council to introduce penalty levies for street vendors is to assist council generate funds.

Ms Mbalwe said vendors have been selling for years without having to pay anything to the council and it is high time they start paying something.

Dyness Namwila, a vendor at Shoprite, said the move by council was a good one as long as the local authority is able to clean the streets themselves.

Ms Namwila said vendors have been cleaning the streets since the time they started selling in the streets and if they have to be paying then council workers should take up the responsibility of sweeping the streets.

Henry Kambole, another street vendor at after Ten Restaurant, said vendors will only pay the levy if council produces receipts.

He said vendors paying to the council will make their business legal and they expect to be treated like any other trader without fear of being stopped by anyone.

Violet Mwenya said the late President, Michael Sata, allowed them to trade freely in the streets and wondered why that should change now.

Ms Mwenya said vendors do not earn enough for them to be paying to the council but if they have to then they will should not be expected to clean the streets.

Zambia needs a strong and stable banking system-HH

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HH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town
HH at at the Graduate Business School of the University of Cape Town

United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has said Zambia needs a strong and stable banking system that could offer finance at affordable interest rates, especially for start up businesses in various sectors.

In a statement released to the media, Mr Hichilema said that the banking must provide start-up to small scale mining, tourism, agriculture and alternative energy sources such as solar panels.

Below is the full statement

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

HH Meetings in South Africa

In our other investment promotional side closed-door meetings we have been mindful of the many challenges our small and medium sized businesses are facing, such as increased interest rates that makes it difficult for them to access cheaper financing and erratic power supply. Ensuring these businesses can participate in the mining sector is essential in making sure we benefit fully from further investment in the sector.

Zambia needs a strong and stable banking system that can offer finance at affordable interest rates, especially for startup businesses in various sectors such as small scale mining, tourism, agriculture, and even alternative energy sources such as solar panels.

We have also advocated for action to redress the trade imbalances between bigger nations and ours that are still developing, and the need for fair export and import arrangements.

The interest amongst financing institutions was encouraging and we hope that they can be persuaded to move in and offer cheaper loans for our small businesses, especially youths and women. But for this to happen we need to create a stable, predictable, and consistent economic policy environment, and build confidence in government’s ability to manage the economy. This is the only way we can have a strong middle class of women and men running their own businesses in various sectors and employing our people directly and indirectly through value addition industries.

Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President

We don’t need to be in opposition for 18 years to form Government-Orange Alliance

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Elias Chipimo, Miles Sampa and Erick Chanda
Elias Chipimo, Miles Sampa and Erick Chanda

The Orange Alliance says it does not need to be in opposition for 18 years to form government because it has what it takes to form government within 8 months.

Orange Alliance Spokesperson Erick Chanda said just like in 1991 Zambians are itching for change and tired of the same politicians hence they are looking to the Orange Alliance as the best option because of the new breed of politicians in it.

Mr Chanda said Zambians have told them that the are the only people who can bring a revolutionary change to the country adding that the Alliance was the biggest political force on the political scene in the country.

“I want to tell you that the Orange Alliance is the biggest political force on the political scene right now. Its coming with full force and if we’re not a political force that people are looking upto one Minister would not have deregistered one of our members the DF, why did they deregister? Because they saw that we coming with full force.

“Orange Alliance will make it on 11 August 2016. One simple reason, you don’t need to be in opposition for 18 years to win an election, not at all if you look at 1991 MMD was in opposition for only months. With the challenges that we are facing Zambians are tired of these same politicians they want change, they have honestly told us that you are the only force, the only change that we need. This is a revolutionary change that we are offering you the Zambian people. It happened in 1990/91 it can happen now, you don’t need to be in opposition for 18years, 30years for you to win an election,” he said.

Mr Chanda further called original members of the PF to join the Orange Alliance as they won’t be neglected.

He said the current membership of PF was being enjoyed by the people they worked hard to remove from office questioning how Dora Siliya could be the one enjoying trips with the President when she was one of the people fighting the PF before Sata died.

He also condemned the closure of the two universities by Minister of higher education Dr Micheal Kaingu.

He said closing the universities was detrimental to the developmental aspirations of the country as universities will have a backlog of students because those who would have completed will still be in the universities.

He said Dr Kaingu was where he was because he attained free Education which he can use to send his children to universities abroad. He called on students to show the PF exist door because they don’t have their plight at heart.