CSOs to hold demonstrations against fee hike on August 4

As disagreement continues between University of Malawi (UNIMA) students and University Council over the recent fee hike, Civil Society Organizations are planning to hold demonstrations on August 4 2016 against the hike.

Students from Chancellor College, Polytechnic and Kamuzu College of Nursing both Blantyre and Lilongwe campus staged demonstrations last week and this week to force the council to revise downward the fees.

The demonstrations saw more than 50 students from all the said University being arrested and others being harassed by the police.

Writing on his official facebook page, one of the organizers and Human Right Activist Billy Mayaya said the demonstrations are slated for August 4 2016.

In a related development, UMSU leadership has issued the statement criticizing the University of threatening them during the demonstration.

The students have also distanced themselves from the claims that the students are being funded by the opposition to destabilize the country, saying no one is funding the demonstrations.

Meanwhile Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has backed the students for demonstrating against fee hike.