Unilia top managers sent on administrative leave
The Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has bowed to demands of members of staff of University of Livingstonia by sending three top managers on a month long administrative leave.
Academic and non-academic staff members at Unilia accuse the three, vice-chancellor Professor Yohane Nyasulu, registrar Peter Kayira and finance officer Francis Kumwenda of failing to protect their welfare, govern the university by agreed systems and procedures as well as cultivate a mutually-respectful professional relationship with them.
After getting “unsatisfactory” responses from the synod, the staff withdrew labour on Friday, March 24, forcing the synod leadership to close the school’s two campuses of Ekwendeni (Mzimba) and Robert Laws (Rumphi) to resolve the matter.
Synod moderator the Reverend John Gondwe said in an interview yesterday that they have sent the three managers on administrative leave to pave the way for investigations into the many allegations levelled against them.
“I can confirm that the trustees of the university have deemed it fit to send the three on administrative leave, mind you, this is not a forced leave. Much as we do not see the necessity to fire them as demanded by members of staff, we have deemed it important to investigate the allegations.
“We could not just sit idle because we have students who need not be disturbed and I am happy to say that classes resume on Monday [today]. Within the month, we will establish the truth,” he said.
A member of staff who did not want to be mentioned said they welcomed the development and are looking forward to resuming work.
“This is a good step. What we want is the three to go, and then we can discuss our plight with the new managers that would be recruited. But we welcome the move and we are resuming work on Monday,” said the source.
Robert Laws Campus Student Union president Brian Yiwombe expressed happiness at the development, but urged sincerity once classes resume.
“I just want to thank the Lord for the outcome and fellow students for being calm through these trying moments,” he said.
Unilia was established by the Synod of Livingstonia on August 23 2003.
