Lusaka — UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) students on Friday night ran amok when a third year student died after being hit by a vehicle on the Great East Road.

And FDD president Edith Nawakwi expressed fear for the lives of UNZA students under the current regime.

The students demonstrated the whole night and ransacked the students' centre where they got away with bottles of beer. University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) president Antonio Mwanza narrated that the protest by the students was sparked after they were informed about the death of Robert Chiluba, a third year student in the School of Education.

Mwanza explained that Chiluba died on the spot around 22:50 hours.

He said the car and the driver were not identified. "It is sad that we have lost a senior student by the name of Robert Chiluba, who was hit by a running car when he was coming from Kalundu around 22:50 hours. It was a hit and run and he died on the spot," Mwanza said.

He said upon hearing of Chiluba's death, the students rushed to the accident scene and started protesting until the police came in to disperse them after firing teargas canisters.

However, Mwanza said the presence and actions of the police were not justified because students were just reacting to the death of their colleague.

He said Chiluba's body was taken to University Teaching Hospital (UTH) the same night by the university ambulance. Mwanza said Chiluba's relatives had already been informed of his death.

He said Chiluba's body would be transported to Chingola on Monday for burial.

Mwanza said the situation was now normal and students were queuing for meal allowances.

Mwanza appealed to UNZA management to quickly facilitate the construction of a footbridge at the institution. He said US$250,000 meant for the bridge was available but wondered why management was delaying in constructing the bridge.

Mwanza further cautioned motorists to observe the pedestrians' crossing and learn to reduce speed to avoid further loss of life at the institution.

And commenting on last night's student protest at UNZA, Nawakwi said she was saddened to learn about the circumstances under which the protests occurred.

She said there was urgent need to construct a by-pass at UNZA if the lives of students had to be safeguarded.

"Unless something is done about this issue, we will continue losing lives and potential human resource for this country. Already we have lost a third year student which is really sad," Nawakwi said. "Many times we have urged the government to allocate more money to the university, this problem is almost 30 years old but nothing has been done. I really fear for the students' lives on that campus under this administration."

Nawakwi, who is also Munali FDD member of parliament, said there was need for stakeholders to move in and help the situation. "The students woke me up at 04:00 hours in the morning and they were complaining. In fact, the secretary general for UNZASU called me and said that the students were angry and rioting and that the police were also throwing tear gas canisters at them," Nawakwi said.

"So I had to start making phone calls just to assist the situation. That campus desperately needs help. It's not only the footbridge that is needed but we need to invest more money in that university. "Even in an event of a disease outbreak, I don't know what can happen there. Those students are at high risk because the environment is something else."

Nawakwi appealed to President Mwanawasa to assist the situation at UNZA.

"If President Mwanawasa can direct the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to build a dry port at Nakonde border post, surely he can also build a footbridge at UNZA. It's just that he doesn't care," she said. Nawakwi urged UNZA students to remain calm. /TM-WM