Mzuni Suspends 5 Students Over Tuition Fee-Hike Riots

The Mzuzu University (Mzuni) disciplinary committee has suspended five of its students over the recent tuition fee-hike riots the students staged.

The suspension has included Mzuni Students Representative Council (Muserec) president, Lucius Banda, who has been suspended for 2 academic years.

In a memo signed by Mzuni registrar, Yonam Ngwira, the decision follows a disciplinary hearing held on October 11 to 13, 2023.

“Further to disciplinary hearings which were conducted by Students Disciplinary Committee from October 11 to 13, 2023, I would like to announce the following outcomes: (1) Mr Lucius Banda with outcomes such as; suspension from the University for 2 academic years, withdrawal from halls of residence for the rest of their program,” reads the memo in part.

The other four are; Iveen Changata, Jamestone Kasambala, Miss Rennence Billiati and Johanns Kaipa, all suspended for one year.

Speaking to Banda, he said the news is shocking to him.

“I am just the mouthpiece of my fellow students at the institution. I tried my best to defend my colleagues during disciplinary hearings but the management has decided to suspend me altogether.”

He however, said he will seek legal action on the institution’s decision.

Disagreements between Musrec and the Mzuni management on hiking the tuition fees during the ongoing academic year, sparked riots that saw the latter closing the institution on September 16, 2023.