UNZA MUST REDEEM ITSELF OVER DEATH OF STUDENT

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has received with utmost grief the death of 22-year-old Margaret Chibesakunda, a third-year student of Public Administration at the University of Zambia (UNZA).

The death of Ms Chibesakunda is so painful, especially that she died in an unwarranted case of electrocution that occurred in her dormitory room, a place that, by all means, is supposed to be a haven for students who reside within the campus of the country’s highest learning institution.

While we understand that death is a mystery that comes at any time and in various forms, as the ruling party we logically feel that the management of UNZA owes the country a sensible explanation concerning electrical safety in dormitories, lecture theatres and other spaces where there are electrical connections.

How can a student, who was full of life, lose a life due to a case of sheer negligence on the part of the university management?

UNZA management must also tell the nation how safe its students, let alone members of staff, are regarding its now understandable poor state of electrical installations.

In the same breath, let UNZA management explain the relevance of its maintenance unit and why public funds should continue to be channelled to sustain this same unit that cannot rise to the occasion to prevent loss of life, in matters of safety.

A public institution, especially, must never operate in a way that mirrors sabotage.

In the meantime, the UPND extends heartfelt condolences to the Chibesakunda family on the untimely death of a young life that would have been a pillar at both national and family levels.

We also wish to encourage the police to expedite investigations to establish all facts into this case of needless electrocution.

The UPND also wishes to applaud the students who complied with police to mourn Ms Chibesakunda with due dignity, unlike through a roadside protest.