Copperbelt University closed indefinetely, Students ordered to leave

Copperbelt University has been closed indefinitely and Students were ordered to leave the institution by 6pm local time on Thursday.

The decision follows riots and class boycotts that rocked Zambia’s second highest learning institution this week. This was after management banned squatting at the University which has limited bed spaces. The Students protested and management later suspended the University’s Union leaders, a move that resulted in students rioting.

Announcing the indefinite closure to the press in Kitwe, University Vice Chancellor Naison Ngoma said the environment was not conducive hence the decision by management after an emergence senate meeting to close.

“The school has closed until further notice and all students are required to surrender University property and all Students must leave campus by 18:00 hours,” said Prof Ngoma whom some students are demanding that he resigns.

Prof. Ngoma also told the press that he was disturbed allegations made by some students and ruling Patriotic Front officials that he privately owned a boarding House in Kitwe hence the decision to ban squatting. He explained that he had properly run the University and sees no resign for him to bow to calls demanding for his resignation.

He noted his position was challenging but vowed to soldier on and warned that any member of management who would be found to be behind the confusion that have rocked the University.

Two opposition leaders – UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema and FDD’s Edith Nawakwi has called for re-instatement of the suspended CBU Union leaders. Hichilema said the money PF government was using for unnecessary by-elections must be directed towards addressing the plight of students at the University.

And PF in Kitwe has also condemned the decision by Management to suspended the Union leaders. District chairman Alfred Kaira said banning of squatting by management at the institution will putt undue pressure on government. He said the PF Government had given instructions to begin preparatory works under the Private Public Partnership programme to construct new hostels.

Kaira  called on management at CBU to rescind its decision and allow Students to share bed spaces.  He appealed to Students exercise patience and restrain from damaging public property as they air their grievances.

The PF District Chairman said this in a press statement released Thursday, August 15, 2013 in Kitwe.