UNZA Targeting Whistleblowers With New Disciplinary Code

The University of Zambia (UNZA) is developing a new ‘Staff Discipline and Procedure Code’ which would penalise whistleblowing by making the “unauthorised communication of confidential university information” a dismissible offence. 

UNZA would also seek to dismiss lecturers and other members of staff who post so-called offensive material to social media which might bring the university “into disrepute”.

The information stems from a leaked draft of the new discipline code, which lists, among other sackable offences, any “unauthorised communication” or “breach of personal confidence by disclosing confidential matters” as grounds for termination. 

Furthermore, according to the code, arbitration for such offences will be made on the “balance of probability” and not on the principle of beyond reasonable doubt. 

Employees thought to be in breach of the new regulations will be thoroughly investigated by their supervising officer, regardless of whether the offence is committed in or outside the university. In exceptional circumstances, employee’s may be investigated by UNZA’s registrar. 

According to the document, the university wishes to create an environment in which ‘natural self-discipline can evolve’. 

Besides whistleblowing, other actionable offences include the misappropriation of funds, theft and collusion to steal, hacking computer systems and the possession of pornography. 

UNZA Vice-Chancellor Luke Mumba