CBU striking lecturers charged

THE Copperbelt University (CBU) Council has charged all lecturers who participated in the illegal strike. The offence is desertion.

 

The lecturers, who have been on strike since June 24, are demanding the removal of CBU vice-chancellor Naison Ngoma and the entire CBU management.

 

The CBU council has also sent Prof Ngoma on two months leave effective yesterday.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by the CBU council, these resolutions were made at a meeting held on Monday this week.
The CBU council has since set up a tribunal to look into individual cases of the lecturers who have been given seven days starting yesterday to exculpate themselves and show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.

 

“All lecturers who participated in the illegal strike have been charged with desertion and are expected to show cause why they should not be punished,” the statement reads in part.
The tribunal instituted to look into individual cases of the lecturers constitutes independent experts who are going to examine all issues presented to them by the CBU union, which will later be presented to the council.

 

“The tribunal will consider the validity of the allegations on the lecturers and present them to the council,” the statement reads in part.
The CBU council also said deputy vice-chancellor Shadreck Chama will act as vice-chancellor in the absence of Prof Ngoma.

 

The council also stated that it is working to ensure that the period of the closure of the institution is as short as possible and that students will resume their studies with minimum delay.
“The council is also committed to ensuring that the factors which contributed to the premature closure of the university are dealt with,” the statement reads.