By ADRIAN MWANZA –

UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Simukanga and three other senior university members have stepped down from their positions.
The resignations come in the wake of a strike by lecturers who are demanding payment of contractual obligations in terms of benefits, including gratuity and excess teaching allowances, among others things.
The other demands are the remittance of all outstanding Superannuation and National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) contributions and that the Government should immediately allow UNZA to charge cost-effective fees or fund the shortfall in full.
Education Permanent Secretary Patrick Nkanza announced the resignations of the quartet in a statement yesterday.
Other officers, who resigned were Registrar Kavwanga Yambayamba, the university librarian, Viatalicy Chifwepa and Bursar Sampa Katoyo.
Dr Nkanza said the position of the Vice-Chancellor would be assumed by the deputy UNZA vice Chancellor Enala Mwase, while the other positions would be filled by officers yet to be appointed in acting capacities.
Dr Nkanza, however, said the administrative functions of the institution had been restored in particular the examination process which starts tomorrow, Monday 22, 2015.
“The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education would work with all stakeholders to address the problems facing the University of Zambia and specifically the problems associated with accrued contractual obligations,” he said.
He said the Government was committed to a process of continuous dialogue with management and all staff unions of the university to seek and deliver solutions to the problems that could hinder academic life at the university.
He said all parties shared a common objective of a credible university with motivated academic and administrative staff, contributing to the development of human resources for the advancement of the country.