Lusambo regrets CBU fracas
By BENNIE MUNDANDO THE situation at the Copperbelt University (CBU) which resulted in a fracas between police and a section of students is unfortunate and could have been avoided through dialogue and round table engagement, Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has said.
Mr. Lusambo called on the students to adopt a less provocative and confrontational way of airing out their grouses because society expected them to be more civil as intellectuals as opposed to street demonstrations.
He recounted that in the one year that he has been in office, he has had a cordial engagement with students on a number of occasions and that such meetings have ended in health conclusions devoid of antagonism, saying that was the path students needed to take. “The situation at the CBU over the weekend which resulted in a fracas between police and a section of students is unfortunate. “As provincial minister, I am of a firm belief that the situation could have been avoided through dialogue and round table engagement. It is imperative for all the parties most significantly the student population to adopt a less provocative and confrontational manner when airing out their concerns. “I find the behaviour of the students very disturbing especially that as intellectuals, society expects them to apply themselves in a more acceptable fashion than resorting to street demonstrations. Over the last one year as minister in charge of the province, I have openly engaged the student leadership on a number of issues and such engagements have always produced healthy results,” Mr. Lusambo said.
He said not long ago, his office intervened and engaged both students and management in resolving the impasse that saw some of the students facing the prospect of not writing their exams due to their failure to pay and that the issue had been resolved amicably.
He wondered why the student leadership opted to allow their colleagues to run amok with a motive to destroy property and disrupt public peace when they could have used the same channel of dialogue with all parties involved including his office to find a lasting solution to the problem. “The student leadership know my house, they have my phone number and they have been to my office several times and we have used effective methods of engagement to resolve issues affecting the student populace. “Not too long ago, my office effectively intervened when majority of students faced the prospect of missing out on end of term exams due to failure to settle tuition fees.
“It is therefore baffling that students this time around opted to run into the streets in the thick of the night and in the process threatened public peace, order and property. I wish to strongly place it on record that Government shall not tolerate irresponsible and riotous behaviour by students,” he said. He urged the students to cooperate with the university management and remain calm as Government was working round the clock to resolve the matter.