Chief Government Spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga says the release of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his co accused is not a sign that government bowed down to international pressure but it is symbolic of the independence of the Judiciary.

And Mulenga says government will reconstitute the University of Zambia into five university colleges.

Speaking at a joint press briefing by State House Press Aide Amos Chanda, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, and her Ministry in Lusaka yesterday, Kampamba said government accepted the decision of the DPP.

“Government has not bowed down to international pressure, it is because we have a good judicial system. And of course as government, we accept what has happened today and of course we accept the decision as government by the DPP and the country moves on, we have to move forward. This just shows that government has no interference with the judicial system and as government we are very free to criticism,” Kampamba said.

And Kampamba said there was need to restructure the University of Zambia because of its over population.

“Cabinet approved the restructuring of the University of Zambia to be reconstituted into five University of Zambia colleges namely: College of Medicine; College of Education; College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; College of Engineering, Mines, and Minerals; and College of Humanities and Arts. Government has decided to restructure the University of Zambia in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the operations of the institution. This action is provided for under the Higher education act number 4 of 2013 (iii) section 13,” she said.

“The University of Zambia has become inefficiency in its management due to its current size. This has resorted in operational problems that have manifested in huge debt burden. Inadequate staff, infrastructure of teaching and learning as well as perennial strides to lecturers and students which have compromised the quality of education. In terms of students population, the University of Zambia has 23,000 students, Copperbelt University 12,041 and the Mulungushi University 4, 830 students.”

She further disclosed that government would liquidate statutory and personal related debts owed by the three public universities namely the University of Zambia, Mulungushi University, and the Copperbelt University.

“Cabinet approved a new financing strategy of financing public universities which among other things government will liquidate statutory as well as personal related debt owed by the three public universities. It is noted that environment for the higher education in Zambia has changed significantly. The honorable Minister of higher education will soon publish a full paged paper and issue a comprehensive announcement on the university reforms which cabinet approved,” said Kampamba.