UNZA STUDENTS CANE ‘INSOLENT’ UPND

THE remarks made by the UPND on students participation in the political dispensation of the country is actually insulting to the student unions, says University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU)

UPND special advisor to the party President, Hakahinde Huchilema, William Banda said in a video circulating on social media that the students know nothing about politics.

But UNZASU President, Shadrick Mumba, described the sentiments from Mr. Hichilama's special advisor as demeaning to students in universities and colleges in the country.

Mr Mumba said in an interview that the demeaning sentiments from Mr Banda were worrying and should be condemned in their strongest terms because students as electorates have the right to participate in the governance of the country.

"He can't publicly say that we know nothing as students from universities and colleges, does he mean that we don't know how to vote? Spotty was quite insulting. I can only hope it did not come from the UPND leadership he represents," he said.

Mr. Mumba said it was disappointing to youths to have Mr Banda, a figure father, come out publicly in an undiplomatic manner, denouncing the voice of students in the country.

The UNZASU President explained contrary to Mr Banda's allegations, the coalition has not in any way advised the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to bar international election observers from the country. He stated that the Democracy and Motherland Defenders Coalition (DMDC) has proposed to the ECZ to limit the number of election observers coming into the country as a CIVID-19 preventive measure.