Participate peacefully in the ongoing election campaigns - Dickson Jere

By MUBITA KATETE

LAWYER and politician Dickson Jere has urged young people to participate peacefully in the ongoing election campaigns, warning that political violence, online abuse and partisan intolerance could jeopardise their future opportunities.

Mr Jere said while campaigns had reached their peak, the political season was temporary and the country would soon return to normal life, making it important for young people to avoid actions that could have lasting consequences.

“The campaigns have now reached the peak. It is all systems go. But always remember that this is just a short period and the country will go back to normalcy soon,” he said.

He warned youths against engaging in violence for political gain, noting that those who benefit most from politics are often removed from the consequences faced by ordinary supporters.

Mr Jere said those arrested or imprisoned for political offences were rarely supported by senior political figures, urging campaigners to respect the law and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Stay away from the violence. Just campaign for your candidates peacefully,” he said.

He warned civil servants, members of the security services and job seekers against posting partisan political content on social media, saying employers increasingly examine applicants’ online activity before making recruitment decisions.

He encouraged social media users to refrain from insulting people with differing political opinions, warning that offensive posts could damage future career or business opportunities.

“Do not follow people like us - we passed the stage of writing application letters for jobs. We are PEPs or Politically Exposed Persons,” Mr. Jere said as he explained why public political participation carried different implications for politicians than for ordinary citizens.

Mr Jere said that political rivals often maintained cordial personal relationships despite public competition, urging supporters not to destroy friendships or opportunities because of politics.

“Most politicians are friends. Do not jeopardise your own future because of them. Example, President Rupiah Banda and President Michael Sata were friends.

Their children were even closer and met while you guys were tearing each other apart. Mulekutika?”

Govt releases K450m to settle UNZA, CBU lecturers’ perks

By MUBITA KATETE

GOVERNMENT has released K450 million to address pension and gratuity obligations affecting retired lecturers at University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU).

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Administration Noriana Muneku said K88 million has been allocated to clear all outstanding pension and gratuity obligations for retirees at CBU, while K255 million will be used to settle pension obligations for UNZA retirees covering the period between 2021 and 2023.

A further K137 million has been set aside to clear gratuity obligations for UNZA retirees for the period stretching from 2015 to 2020.

Ms Muneku said Government remained committed to resolving long-standing challenges affecting public universities and ensuring lecturers receive their dues.

“Government has released these funds as part of ongoing efforts to address pension and gratuity concerns affecting lecturers and to ensure that retirees receive the benefits they are entitled to,” Ms Muneku said.

She said Government had also increased operational support to public universities under the 2026 national budget, with UNZA receiving an additional K90 million while CBU has been allocated an extra K50 million.

Ms Muneku said the additional funding would strengthen institutional operations and allow management to focus on improving service delivery.

“The funding is intended to strengthen institutional operations, improve service delivery and enable university management to focus on their core mandate of teaching, research and innovation,” she said.