Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo says the University of Zambia Great East road campus is harboring criminals going by some students riotous behavior.
Commenting on Saturday’s riots that erupted following power failure at the institution.
Mr Lusambo said that type of behavior is associated with criminals and not intellectuals.
He said he will be having a meeting with UNZA management on today to get to the bottom of the issue and identify those that took part in the riots so that they could be dealt with.
“As Minister responsible for Lusaka Province, I wish to firstly apologize to the residents of Lusaka and specifically to those motorists who were caught up in the disturbances occasioned by the unruly students. I further wish to sternly warm the students that I will not tolerate such levels of irresponsible behavior in the province.
“As intellectuals, the students are expected to understand and appreciate the level of investment that the Zambian people through government are making to enable them stay in school. They should therefore not exhibit their ingratitude using such archaic methods. I wish to point out that road protests by student populace is an old and tired method of expressing displeasure,” he said.
Mr Lusambo said Students are expected to engage the university management and other authorities on a round table whenever disagreements emerge.
He said this is a modern and proven way of resolving issues.
Mr Lusambo observed that rushing to be streets to protest over a less than 10 minute power disturbance shows the kind of society that Zambia is breeding.
“We are breeding a society of spoilt, entitled and irresponsible children who do not take time to analyze issues before they act. It now remains the duty of parents and guardians to inculcate national values, ethics, patriotism and principles in the minds of these children. Please help society by raising responsible children before you send them out to university.
“My office will work closely with law enforcement agencies and university management to ensure that unruly students are rooted out of campus. The Government desires a harmonious learning environment and will not condone stupidity from those that are receiving assistance in the pursuance of their education. I therefore wish to warn the students that as Minister for Lusaka Province, I will not tolerate such types of actions that seek to disturb public peace and order.”
