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MMD Statement on KCM: The Buck stops with the PF Government

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Statement by the MMD president on KCM taxation Debacle

(The Buck stops with the PF Government)

The PF government is currently firmly in its third year of governance and should therefore begin to take full responsibility for every aspect of the Governance structure of our country. Passing the buck or blaming other actors for their lack of competency is not going to resolve the numerous problems facing this country. They were voted into office with a clear understanding by the voters that they would fix our problems, correct the mistakes made by the MMD government and improve the working conditions and general standard of leaving for our people. At this point in their governance, they can no longer continue to give excuses and to externalize problems, most of which are as a result of their own making.

The above advice holds true in specific reference to the KCM debacle. I wish to remind the PF government that they had promised the people of Zambia an immediate up scaling of revenue from the mining sector. This was to be done through the introduction of a Windfall Tax. They also undertook to introduce a more effective and efficient tax regime, overall, that would guarantee more money in people’s pockets. More money through an effective tax regime and the creation of 5 million jobs were their core promises to the people of Zambia. They also undertook to change the structure of the mining sector, particularly to bring about a positive relationship between Mine owners and wage earners; a relationship which would tilt towards greater advantage for the working class. Contract employees were also promised better conditions of engagement, through government intervention, by the large mining houses.

None of the above has happened in the three years that President Michael Sata and the PF government have been in Office. MMD therefore is of the view that PF’s lack of capacity to collect appropriate taxes remains a PF scandal. It is for this reason that great lamentations have been expressed by the ordinary mining worker.

The MMD does not condone and strongly condemns the reported comments by the KCM CEO Mr. Anil Argawal. The alleged revelations of the company cheating the Zambian Government are very sad. However, this only serves to expose the incompetence of the PF government. Although the MMD is a firm believer in healthy relations between government and investors, we believe that the dignity of our people should not be ridiculed by any person locally or abroad.

While the statement of Mr Anil Argawal is atrocious and its consequences are deplorable, the onus is on government to ensure that no individual or group of individuals, corporate or otherwise manipulate our existing tax laws. If all we do is to cry foul, then we have failed as a nation to implement our own laws and regulations. It is the Zambian government that must ensure that we are receiving equitable taxes from all companies operating in Zambia.

It is the PF government’s responsibility to ensure that all business houses abide by all labour and taxation laws. They can not be allowed to give any more excuses three years down the line. When this matter first came up, some time in February 2014, The Vice President of the Republic, in fact made an attempt to defend the company and indicated that the situation was so bad at KCM that they did not want to instigate a receivership by putting undo pressure on the firm.

Given what has now transpired, The MMD demands that verification of these revelations be done by relevant government agents and if confirmed to be true, severe penalties must be applied. While government pursues this case, our submission is that extreme caution is taken so as not to bring discomfort to well meaning and law abiding investors in the entire Zambian economy. We must continue to create a conducive investment atmosphere in the nation while taking to task those who abrogate our laws. We also join those who are asking for a Forensic Audit to be done through out the entire mining sector in order for government to develop a platform for a fair and equitable Mine Tax Regime. It is our hope that the mining sector will in the future contribute its fair share to government revenue while giving it enough room to breathe so that it is able to reinvest, expand and employ more of our youth in Zambia.

Dr Nevers Mumba
President
The Movement For Multi Party Democracy

20/05/2014

9 COMMENTS

  1. And who was in government for 20 years again? When the mines were privatised in 1999? When KCM was thrown away 2004?

    That would be the MMD, now wouldn’t it?

    • # MRK. I thought the point being made is that the MMD made mistakes one of them being mines. Then te people punished or removed them from power because there was an alternative (PF) that promised to “FIX” the numerous problems Identified during MMD’ rule. Now PF in Govt. three years down the line need to sit down and solve problems such as these. Surely they must be seen to be solving or fufilling what they promised the people of Zambia. The blame game is for people who are not innovative. The message to PF please start solving or fixing what you promised the people of Zambia.

    • # operation change 2016

      The problem is that it doesn’t matter which party gets into power. They are all lying, and are all wanting to be the ones to protect the mining companies.

      What is needed is people power. Organising. No more ‘getting a fair deal for Zambia’ when the other side of the table are just circling sharks. No more secret deals when national assets are concerned.

      Notice how neither the MMD nor UPND address how they are going to tax the mines? The UPND statement even assures us that the cost per tonne of copper is $4900 (it is a lot closer to $2000).

      Maybe we need a true civil society coalition (miners, healthcare, teachers, farmers) to ensure than no one except the Zambian people benefit from the mines.

  2. Ally PF it’s your time,you said in 90days zambia will have a people driven constitution.Hahaa ba Sata yashupa kulwala fye.

  3. And PF President was Party Secretary and Minister without Portfolio…..third in rank. PF is the recipient of corrupt MMD. if u know OSMOSIS, u understand PF

  4. An exercise in futility, Mumba. All Zambians do know that MMD sold the mine for a song. Any political gymnastics from you is sheer waste of time.

  5. The kcm scandle is an old one nothin to do with pfthis was mwanawasa at his best .the man levy was not as clean as he he made us believe

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