Pressure forces Mutharika to dissolve UNIMA Council over CHANCO saga

As pressure continues over Chancellor College closure, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has dissolved Council for the University of Malawi (UNIMA) with immediate effect.

This has been disclosed in a press statement released on Sunday made available to faceofmalawi signed by Presidential Press Officer Mgeme Kalilani.

According to Kalilani, the reconstituted Council will be announced soon.

Mgeme further said in the statement that the labour dispute between the concerned parties will be mediated by the government.

“Consequent to the President’s directive, Government invited and met the University Council, Management and representatives of Academic Staff to agree on the steps that will ensure that Chancellor College opens with every expedition possible.

“Therefore, a Taskforce comprising representatives of Council and Academic Staff, as previously agreed upon by the Council and Academic Staff. The discussions of the Taskforce will be facilitated by the Minister of Education, Science and Technology; and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in order to ensure continuity of the first meeting held on 16 June 2017.

“Also attending the discussions will be Secretary to Treasury, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, and Comptroller of Statutory Corporations,” said Kalilani.

He said with task force in place, the President hope the involved parties will reach a common understanding and re-open Chancellor College.