Poly students ‘worn out’ on fees hike as Chanco students seek Malawi Police compensation
Malawi Polytechnic Students have asked their Students Union (P.S.U) to bow down and give up the fight against the University Council’s decision to hike school fees.
This is according to a memo released on Thursday 24th November 2016 addressed to the Sudents Union and in possession of Nyasa Times.
In preamble, the letter hails P.S.U for its spirit of stewardship it has shown in the fight against the fee hike which they say has demonstrated mature, sound and admirable leadership skills.
However, the students being the one’s who elected the union members into their respective positions feels they have worn out with the stand off hence the need for the union to give up the battle to instill the hope in the students that they will get back to class soon.
“Considering the issue at stake, we fear that we the people who elected you into those positions are now worn out by this battle. Everyday we wake up with no hope of going back to class to commence our studies” reads part of the letter.
It adds: “We have observed with concern that the current stand off regardless of its content is costing community a great deal of rime which to say the truth is irredeemable”.
The students have given the Students Union three steps to follow on the steps are as follows:
I. Before Tuesday 29th November 2016, P.S.U must engage the University Council to start negotiations before court rulling on 12th December 2016;
II. Ask the University Council to open the college before 5th December 2016 in exchange for us agreeing to pay the new fees structure;
III. Ask Unversity Council to create a flexible payment and registration process in the view of the above, we believe that you will take heed of our concerns and address them before the end of
today 24th November 2016.
The students believes this is the right path to end the stand-off that has kept the students out of school for months as well as fasten the re-opening of the college.
The matter is currently in court and a rulling will presented on December 12.
Compesation
Meanwhile, 27 University of Malawi (UNIMA) students from Chancellor College (Chanco) who submitted their names as victims of police brutality during protests over fee hike are seeking compensation from the Malawi Police Service (MPS), Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) President Sylvester Ayuba James has confirmed.
This follows calls from the Malawi Law Society (MLS) through its honorary Secretary Khumbo Soko to launch legal proceedings against the Police following reports of police brutality and obtain compensation for victimised students.
Among those seeking compensation are two female students whose video circulated on social media showing them being assaulted by police officers during the protests that started on July 18, 2016.
Ayuba said they are “still collecting information” to submit to the court .
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), a constitutionally established human rights watchdog, has apparently been carrying out a “comprehensive investigation” into the matter whose findings will form the basis for recommendations to be made to concerned authorities for redress.
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These must have been influenced by other interests force. Do forget this is the same college where s student died mysteriously.
Poly students, are you serious? Are you suggesting that you want to “withdraw” the case from court? After the hearing stage has already passed and all you are waiting for is the judgment? Is this decision not coming too late? Does this come because you are tired of waiting, or because you think the judgment will not be in your favour? I am not a legal expert but I have followed many court cases, and this is the first time I have heard of a case being “withdrawn” after the hearing is through and the parties are just waiting for… Read more »
Ankolo there are forces behind, it is not all students, some of us don’t wanna give in, kungoti angapo adyetsedwa ma buns…