Malawi varsity students demonstrate against Bingu

Mutharika who returned from China refused to tackle the issue during his news conference he held at New State House.

"Your question on the salary increment of Chanco lectures was not one of the issues tackled in China, so I will reserve my comment," he told a reporter from The Nation newspaper who posed the question.

The students, who looked angry, were carrying placards which were demonizing their Chancellor Mutharika, the first time ever this has happened and have vowed to hold another demonstration on Thursday if Mutharika remains mum.

One placard in Lilongwe read " MOSE WATILEMERA, TIDZAONANA PA BAJETI."

Mose is a borrowed reference to Mutharika from musician Joseph Mkasa’s praise song in his latest album where he says Mutharika is today’s biblical Moses. Watilemera is a varsity cliche for "you are boring us".

Mutharika has in his four-year rule relied heavily on University of Malawi students to have the budget passed and escape the impeachment threat through their vocal demonstrations.

The students presented their petitions through the District Commissioners who pledge to have them sent today except in Zomba where the petition has been routed through the vice chancellor.

Speaking at the DC’S office in Lilongwe, Khumbo Soko, who is president of the students union of Chancellor College said the demonstration was made out of goodwill so that the students go back to school as soon as possible.

He disclosed that some students would from today camp at the university office in Zomba until the matter is resolved.

The dispute of salaries started in 2005 when a team of consultants commissioned by government established that UNIMA lectures get 1000 %(One Thousand) less than their SADC counterparts.

Government however pledged to topple the salaries by 200%, which is yet to be honored and remains the bone of contention.