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Zambia closes two public universities following riots

Xinhua, February 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Authorities in Zambia on Thursday closed two public universities following two days of unrest over unpaid allowances and a hike in allowances.

Minister of Higher Education Michael Kaingu said the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka, the country's capital and the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe city in the Copperbelt Province have indefinitely been closed because the environment was not conducive.

"The situation at the University of Zambia Great East Road Campus and the Copperbelt University in Kitwe has deteriorated to levels posing a threat to life and property. The criminal behavior by students and known opposition activists has forced government to take decisive steps to restore law and order," he said in a statement.

The Zambian minister said all the students have been given 24 hours to leave the two campuses and that only students from the School of Medicine who use different campuses from the two universities along with graduate schools and evening, distance and parallel programs have been exempted.

The Zambian minister explained that it was unfortunate that despite the government releasing the students'delayed allowances, except for meal allowances, the students decided to riot and accused opposition political parties of inciting the students.

"I am extremely saddened to note that students who are supposed to be vulnerable and are receiving this government support as a privilege have chosen to behave like thugs," he said.

Students fought running battles with the police at the two universities from Monday to Wednesday this week, resulting in a number of students arrested. The police had to use teargas canisters to quell the riots.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said 26 students at the University of Zabia were arrested in the process. Endit