Students sue college for non-issuance of Diplomas

MULENGA MUSONDA writes@sunzambianNearly 40 ex-students of a named college have dragged the institution to court for failing to award them their diplomas after completion of their teaching program.According to the Civil Suit filed in the Choma Subordinates Court, Simon Mwiinga and 38 others have sued Southern Africa Development Teachers College of Lusaka claiming an order for specific performance to award them with Diplomas for the 2014 to 2018 intakes.The Plaintiffs are further claiming for the inconvenience caused, costs and any other relief that the Court may deem fit.When the matter came up for hearing before Senior Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo, the plaintiffs were present while the defendant was not before Court but was represented by Lawyer Mukanda Anthony.Counsel Mukanda applied that the Court should render the claim defective and dismiss it, because the writ of summons does not clearly indicate who the defendant or purported defendant in the matter is.He further submitted that the Plaintiffs except for one did not provide their addresses and that is contrary to the Subordinates Act of the Laws of Zambia and that is prejudicial to the defendant.But Magistrate Mupemo denied the Defendants application and stated that the errors on the Writ of Summons are not fatal and can be rectified.The matter was adjourned to November 27 for hearing. The Sun