August 8, 2023    

By: Willard Zimba

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here have been numerous protests at Malawi University of Business and Applied Science (MUBAS) particularly at Chichiri hostels amid rising students’ anger over widespread electricity blackout.

Some students can be heard shouting "all incompetent must fall" and "step down Vinthenga" - a reference to MUBAS Hostel Supervisor Isaac Mbewe and President of Student Union Wyson Vinthenga.

The university has apologised for the blackouts, which it has blamed on a severe switch fault.

"I apologise to our dear students who have faced problems and suffering in the past few days and I urge them to co-operate [by cutting their electricity use]. Students complain about power outages and they are right," Mr. Mbewe said.

In an interview with one of students, Vincent Makupe complains about the blackouts and corruption at a student union office in the university and demanded that his comments be conveyed to higher-ups like Mr. Mbewe.

"The only thing you have done is forcing us to stop cooking in the hostels," he shouts.

The president has promised that the university will seek to resolve the problems within the next two or three days

Students at Chichiri have also been complaining about water shortages, while thousands of students are having water and electricity every day at main campus.