Mulungushi University students have made headlines for the wrong reasons as they violently protested over continued loadshedding.
The students based in Kabwe are on rampage stoning cars, damaged property and looted a nearby markets.
According to Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, the incident occurred between 8:00pm and 9:00pm after a truck accidentally damaged the electricity supply line to the university.
He said the resulting blackout reportedly triggered unrest among students.
The riot led to damage at the university’s Security Office, including broken glass panes, and several marketeers reported l00ting of their merchandise.
ZESCO personnel restored power at around 2:00am, and police officers continued monitoring the situation, which has now returned to normal.
“Police officers responded promptly to the situation and were able to bring the unrest under control. We are working closely with university authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.
Apparently, few days ago Mulungushi University Chancellor Professor Oliver Saasa gave an honorary doctorate to President Hakainde Hichilema at Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, there has been calls across several sections of the society for street protests over Bill 7.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu, strongly condemned the intention by some sections of the Roman Catholic Church and other denominations to stage protests against the ongoing constitutional review process.
He described the move as uncalled for, divisive and contrary to the church’s mission of unity and reconciliation.
He said the Government has been engaging religious bodies consistently throughout the reform process, and stresses that protests at this critical stage risk undermining those efforts, fuelling national tension, and creating unnecessary polarisation within both the church and the wider public.
Mwiimbu added that while the rights to worship, expression, and assembly are protected, they must be exercised responsibly, especially by institutions that hold moral authority and influence across the country.
On Sunday Oasis Forum announced that it had met all Public Order Act requirements ahead of its planned November 28 protest march from Freedom Statue to State House.
Oasis Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the protest is aimed at rejecting Government’s rushed, non-inclusive and election-centred Bill 7 constitutional reform process.
President Hakainde Hichilema instead invited Oasis Forum to State House to have a dialogue meeting as opposed to protesting.