Govt to pay CBU, UNZA students’ meal allowances

Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili

Government has rescinded the decision to abolish meal allowances for University of Zambia and Copperbelt University students.

Higher Education Minister Michael Kaingu in February announced in Parliament that government had abolished payment of meal allowances to students following students riots at the two institutions.

But Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has told a media briefing in Lusaka today that government has not has not removed the meal allowances from the students’ bursary package.

He says government will continue to pay students their full bursary packages.

Mr. Kambwili says it is therefore wrong for opposition to suggest that the government wants to punish the students who took part in the riots by expelling them.

Mr. Kambwili says there is nothing wrong for government to discipline the students who took part in the riots at both University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU) just like parents discipline their children when they error.

Meanwhile, the Chief Government spokesperson has described as careless UPND President Hakainde Hichilema’s statement on the gaining of the kwacha against the US Dollar.

Mr. Kambwili has also condemned UPND Vice President for Administration Geoffrey Mwamba for his insults on Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali which he says shows a lacks leadership qualities.