Chakwera backs UNIMA students for protesting against fee hike

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President and Leader of opposition in Parliament Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has backed University of Malawi (UNIMA) students for demonstrating against fee hike, saying the recent hike unjustifiable.

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.

As this was not enough, University Council closed Chancellor College citing security reasons and all students were ordered to leave the campus.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday after meeting University of Malawi (UNIMA) students union leaders, Chakwera said he is in support of the students.

“I am assuring the students that MCP as behind them and we will make sure that the students’ grievances are heard and the fee is reduced,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera further called for President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to intervene on the matter by holding talks with concerned parties.