Zambia Govt Fires University Vice-Chancellor, Three Others For Paying Themselves Gratuity And Pension Upfront

University of Zambia (UNZA) vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Simukanga

University of Zambia vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Simukanga has been fired, along with three other principal officers of the institution. But education permanent secretary Dr. Patrick Nkanza, in a statement, stated that the four had ‘stepped down’ from their positions.

The Zambia Sunday Post reports the other three affected include UNZA registrar Dr Kavwanga Yambayamba, librarian Dr Viatalicy Chifwepa and bursar Sampa Barbara Katoyo.

UNZA lecturers recently went on go-slow to press management to immediately pay their benefits, gratuity and excess teaching allowances.

And education minister Michael Kaingu last Sunday disclosed that his ministry would soon constitute a new UNZA council comprising people with entrepreneurial minds, saying the institution needed to embark on beneficial partnerships with other universities for them to come up with quality products.

“The Ministry of Education wishes to inform the community and students of the University of Zambia and the general public that the principal officers of the University of Zambia have stepped down from their positions,” Dr Nkanza stated.

He stated that deputy vice-chancellor professor Enala Mwase would act as UNZA vice-chancellor while officers to act in the positions of registrar, librarian and bursar would be identified.
“The academic and administrative functions of the University of Zambia have been restored and in particular, the examination process which starts on Monday, 22nd June 2015, will proceed normally,” added Dr Nkanza. 

Meanwhile Zambia Daily Mail reports UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) vice-chancellor Stephen Simukanga and three other principal officers have stepped down from their positions with immediate effect.

The three are the registrar Kavwanga Yambayamba, librarian Viatalicy Chifwepa and bursar Sampa Barbara Katoyo.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Patrick Nkanza said in a statement yesterday that deputy vice-chancellor Enala Mwase will assume the position of acting vice-chancellor.

“The other positions will be filled with officers to be appointed to act in these positions.
“The academic and administrative functions of UNZA have been restored, in particular the examinations process which starts on Monday, June 22 will proceed normally,” Dr Nkanza said.
He said the ministry is in talks with management and staff at the university to seek solutions that could provide a conducive academic and administrative life at the institution.
“In this process, all parties share the common objective of a credible university with motivated academic and administrative staff, contributing to the development of human resources for the advancement of our country,” he said.

University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) general secretary Jason Mwanza said he is happy the officers have stepped down on moral ground and for allegedly breaching internal policies.

Last week, UNZALARU members demanded the immediate resignation of Professor Simukanga together with the three principal officers on moral grounds following revelations that they had paid themselves gratuity and pension.