Polytechnic students leave the campus for their homes

Polytechnic students leave the campus for their homes after the closure of the college

Scores of students from the Polytechnic are currently seen lined up along the Chipembere High Way carrying suitcases and bags trying to catch minibuses on their way to their respective homes.

This comes after the indefinite closure of the College by the authorities following the continued stand –off on academic freedom.

Reports show that the situation is the same at Chancellor College in Zomba


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Education activist has demanded an unconditional reinstatement of the dismissed Chancellor College lecturers and promote contact and dialogue to resolve the stand-off.

Executive Director of the Coalition for Quality and Basic Education-CSQBE, Benedicto Kondowe, told capital fm that the move taken by the University council in enforcing dismissals is worsening the situation.

Kondowe said this during a press briefing in Blantyre organised to voice out their concerns on the on-going stand-off between the University lecturers and police Chief Peter Mukhitho.

The agenda of the meeting between president Bingu wa Mutharika and representatives of Non-governmental organisations slated for this morning, remains unclear

President Bingu wa Mutharika

Lecturer -Blessings Chinsinga

The agenda of the meeting between president Bingu wa Mutharika and representatives of Non-governmental organisations slated for this morning, remains unclear.

The development according to sources has left some of the concerned members from the civil society reluctant to attend.
Mutharika has summoned the NGO representatives and a chancellor college lecturer -Blessings Chinsinga.
Chinsinga-a political science lecturer at Chancellor College is the centre of the ongoing animosity between Chancellor College teaching staff and the Inspector general of police Peter Mukhitho, after the police chief summoned the lecturer over remarks he made during one of his lectures.

And recently members of some NGOs have raised alarm on a number of governance and economic issues including the ongoing fuel crisis.

When contacted this morning, presidential spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba told Capital fm details of what will be discussed will be known after the meeting.

And Deputy Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet Nicholas Dausi accused the media of fuelling misunderstandings between government and the NGO’s.

Authorities say a recent spark of demonstrations by various sections of the society is an indication that people in the country are truly free.

Aaron Sangala

 A recent spark of demonstrations by various sections of society is an indication that people in the country are truly free.

This is according to Home affairs and internal security minister, Aaron Sangala.
The remarks come at a time when University lecturers from Chancellor College held their protests in Zomba on Monday.

Students from polytechnic also staged a protest over delays by the school authorities to disburse stationery allowances.
And the recent one is that of primary school teachers in Thyolo who are demanding their outstanding hardship allowances.  
Some commentators say these developments could be a signal that the government was failing to govern the nation and people have lost trust.
But speaking to capital fm Sangala downplayed the fears saying public demonstrations are part of human rights.

Inspector General of Police left with only a few hours to apologise if lecturers at the Chancellor College are to resume work.

Inspector General of Police

Inspector General of Police Peter Mukhitho is left with a few hours to apologise if lecturers at the Chancellor College are to resume work.

The lecturers gave an ultimatum of today for Mukhitho to apologise for summoning Blessings Chinsinga over his alleged remarks on the protests of Egypt and Tunisia.
They have since been on strike from last week for what they described as an infringement on their academic freedom.

Meanwhile, Mukhitho faces a fresh accusation from his junior officers for allegedly practising nepotism when promoting police officers.

In a letter addressed to President Bingu wa Mutharika the junior officers accuse the police chief of denying them risk allowances when working in life threatening conditions.

Thirteen polytechnic students who were arrested on Thursday claim that there were beaten while in police custody.

Thirteen polytechnic students who were arrested on Thursday are claiming that there were beaten while in police custody.

The students were arrested after staging demonstrations aimed at forcing the college authorities to release stationery allowances.
They have since been released on bail.
The college’s student’s union president, Evance Mola, told capital fm that their lawyer is currently handling the matter.

Meanwhile, classes are expected to resume today at the college following the release of the students.
Classes were disturbed after their arrest and some students stormed the Blantyre police station, demanding for the separation of their colleagues from other remandees.
The students are answering charges of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and hearing of the case is set to begin on March 4.

Lawyer, Lucius Kankwalala is representing the students.

Government authorities are today expected to respond to queries regarding the salary of first lady, Calista Mutharika

Calista Mutharika

Government authorities are today expected to respond to queries regarding the salary of first lady, Calista Mutharika.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson on finance in parliament, Joseph Njobvuyalema, called for an explanation on the conditions of employment for the position of coordinator for safe motherhood including benefits which the first lady holds.
Mutharika was appointed by her husband President Bingu wa Mutharika on august 16 last year.
However, government in December last year, paid the first lady a gross salary of 9 million kwacha in arrears from May 1, 2010.

When contacted, both deputy minister of presidential affairs, Nicholas Dausi and presidential spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba declined to comment on the issue.

It is expected that the authorities may address the issues in parliament today when it resumes sitting.