No rest for Mutharika: University of Malawi students gang up against him

His directive that fees at University of Malawi (UNIMA) constituent colleges fall by just K50,000 might have shown his sympathy for the students but the students have indicated they will not accept the cut no matter what happens.

A document circulating among students from the Polytechnic advises all the students not to pay the new fees when the next calendar rolls out.

The letter from the Polytechnic Students Union also reveals of the idea of holding another demonstrations against the hike.

‘’…Joint peaceful demonstrations and indefinite vigil at University Council offices with our sister colleges should be held until our campaign bears the intended fruits,” the letter reads.

It is understood that the students want up to K100,000 cut. Mutharika made the directive when he was meeting leaders of student unions from constituent colleges of University of Malawi.

The K50,000 cut Mutharika ordered will now see generic students paying K350,000 from K400,000 while mature students at College of Medicine (Com) are to be paying K1,000,000 from K1,400,000.

Their colleagues in the health sector from Kamuzu College of Nursing will pay K700,000 from K1,000,000.

But the Malawi leaders have been slammed for what critics say is a ‘minimal cut’ to the fees.

Last month, demos held at Chancellor College saw the college being sealed with the rioting students stopping the convoy that was carrying the US Second lady Jill Biden who was on a three day visit to Malawi.