HH bemoans police brutality against students
By Staff Reporter
United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema says his party is disgusted with the brutal and degrading treatment with which the Zambia Police treated the Copperbelt University (CBU) students last week.
In a media statement this morning, Hichilema said the students, majority are of whom, come from vulnerable families, have been denied their allowances by the same government that is violating their right to freedom of expression.
He said the issues at CBU, just like the University of Zambia (UNZA) are not new, but as usual the PF leadership has been lending a deaf ear due to misplaced priorities, economic mismanagement and corruption.
“We strongly condemn the brutal attack by Zambia Police on unarmed students hence our insistence on the need for Zambia Police reforms with emphasis on modern crowd control tactics that take into account respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.” Hichilema said.
“It’s clear that the PF has no plan for our education and other key sectors, they are not willing to invest any money in education and other sectors where those in leadership have no direct benefits through corruption,” he said.
Hichilema added that student allowances to vulnerable people in society, are an essential part in any country that has leapfrogged in human capital development.
“We would like to appeal to the students both at tertiary and secondary education to remain hopeful and steadfast as we will provide the means to have quality education for them,” Hichilema stated.
He said the UPND policy on education was very clear as it derives from the broader perspective of prudent management of public resources which will free finances for education and other social sectors.
“Instead of buying fire tenders corruptly over priced at US$ 1 million each, ours will be to save that money and deploy it in educating our citizens, especially those from vulnerable families,” he said. “We value education and for any country to develop, it needs skills that are fit for purpose which can only be derived from quality education. “We sympathise with the students undergoing very difficult times under the PF, but we can assure you of not only education but also jobs once you complete your studies.” he said.
