ZAMBIAN NETIZENS REACT TO PRESIDENT’S CCTV PLAN FOR UNIVERSITIES INTENDED TO MONITOR “BLESSERS”
By Celestina Tiyankenji Mbewe
President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement that he has issued instructions to the Ministry of Technology to install CCTV cameras in universities in order to see who is disturbing students has sparked a wave of reactions from Zambians, with many questioning the government’s priorities amid economic hardships and rising insecurity.
The screaming headline from local media house News Diggers “WE’RE PUTTING CCTV – HH TO MONITOR SÚGÁR DADDIES IN UNIVERSITIES” sent the comment session into a frenzy.
The proposal, aimed at curbing vices such as illícít relationships between students and older men and women (commonly referred to as blèssèrs), has been met with criticism, with many arguing that it fails to address the root causes of student vulnerability—poverty and the high cost of living.
Zambians took to the comment section to express their frustration, with some questioning why surveillance in universities is a priority when the economy is struggling.
“Daddy, how about channeling that energy to monitor the economy?” wrote Nonde SK. “In fact, Agro Fúel should be dealt with for stealing from us for four years. Otherwise, installing CCTV cameras is a misplaced priority when the devil has many ways to get to students through those parasites without wisdom.”
This sentiment was echoed by Kennedy Musonda, who argued that economic hardship is what pushes university students into relationships with older men.
“Is the President not a graduate from UNZA? Is there a young lady from a financially stable home who can date a very old man? Most female university students date old men—including some members of his cabinet—because of poverty and vulnerability,” Musonda said. “The correct intervention should be reducing the cost of living for poor university students. I hope they will install those CCTV cameras on their phones as well.”
Others raised concerns about national security, questioning why the government is prioritizing surveillance in universities when crime rates are high and communities lack basic safety measures.
“This has got to be the joke of the century,” said Leliezile “University students are adults, why can’t this man process that part? People are getting killed week in, week out, and there’s no word from him on how he plans to contribute to the safety of our communities. We have missing children and adults, and no one is able to trace these people because we don’t have the same CCTV and basic streetlights in our communities.”
Leliezile further pointed out the lack of CCTV in critical areas such as fuel depots and food stores.
“He failed to put CCTV at unga (mealie meal) and fuel stations, but he’s busy talking about people who make their own decisions,” another added
The government maintains that the move is meant to curb social vices and ensure discipline among students. However, critics argue that instead of policing universities, the administration should focus on policies that make education more accessible and affordable.
The President made these remarks at the official opening of the 2025 youth indada in Lusaka on Friday.