Republican President Michael Sata has been called upon to issue a stern warning to mining companies intending to lay off workers using the excuse of the withheld VAT refunds.
Christian Against Poverty in Zambia (CAPIZ) Executive Director Evangelist Gregory Chileshe told QFM News in an interview that President Sata should issue a statement warning all mining companies threatening the jobs of miners.
Evangelist Chileshe said as the country continues to strive in meeting the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on reducing extreme poverty by 2015, such moves should not be tolerated considering that they cannot help in attaining the MDGs.
He also appealed to investors in the mining sector to exercise patience with government with regards the issue of the VAT refunds.
Evangelist Chileshe further encouraged government to be above bold and not succumb to tactics of arm twisting some mining firms are employing.
He added that Zambia should use its natural resources wisely by reducing the high poverty levels in the country.
Evangelist Chileshe said it is for this reason that Zambians, more especially miners who are on the edge of losing jobs, are looking up to President Sata to issue a decisive statement pertaining to the threats by mining companies.
Meanwhile, opposition Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) President Father Frank Bwalya has advised government to increase its stake in the mining companies.
Father Bwalya is also of the view that repossessing the mines is the solution to the problems arising in the mining sector.
There is no need for him to issue this warning.
He is doing other more important issues.
This will be done by lungu
Thanks
Chiluba messed up the copper industry in Zambia. Short men are useless and embarrassing to stand next to in my 6 inch heels.
but zoona, this chrstian organisation,,, Sata is ill laying in bed, powerless, weak, gasping for air,,,ati issue a statement warning all minnng threatening jobs of miniers,,,,,,
Sata is very weak physically to warn or threaten anybody,,, he wll collasped if he tried.. he needs to rest in peace on orders from the doctor,,, please pray for his journey
if you want anything ask Kambwili to insult the minning companies
Calling on the Cobra to do what? It lost it’s venom a long time. Please do yourselves a favour and look at the accompanying picture.
The late Dr. Mwanawasa Levy SC MHSRIP sold KCM Plc for a song. Whilst HH personally benefited from the sale of RAMCOZ and Chibuluma mines and solely and dubiously sold himself formerly Lima Bank residential mansion. And that is why he wll never see my vote.
Mining companies like many “so called foreign investors” have no regard for Zambians and completely ignore Governmnet officials. They have “excuses for everything” that would otherwise work to build the capacity of Zambians. I do not think that Sata’s word alone will change anything because they will “jump” for a week and forget everything and return to the status quo thereafter
He can only issue a stern warning if he is capable of enforcing it!
Rüschlikon is a village in Switzerland with a very low tax rate and very wealthy residents. But it receives more tax revenue than it can use. This is largely thanks to one resident – Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of Glencore, whose copper mines in Zambia are not generating a large bounty tax revenue for the Zambians. Zambia has the 3rd largest copper reserves in the world, but 60% of the population live on less than $1 a day and 80% are unemployed. Based on original research into public documents, the film describes the tax system employed by multinational companies in Africa.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNYemuiAOfU
Sata is right. these so called investors pay peanuts to our miners and over exert them at work. Especially the Indians at Gemfields – Kagem Mining. They threaten workers that they will lose their jobs and don’t give workers proper annual increment. They also do not provide workers with adequate mining protective gear; meals and sleeping accessories. This is not fair because our industry should be fair and workers should not be mistreated. We want our emerald mine back tho make millions of dollars while our children are starving on the streets
Eee, some of these mining companies are greed. Arm twisting the Zambian government won’t do. If they are holding us to a ransom over VAT repayments, let us resolve to take over mining operations once any miner is laid off. The biggest culprit is KCM who has been playing monkey tricks with Zambians. Mopani is a saint who is above board promoting Zambian interests. Mopani keep it up.
@ Ndobo
It is as if you are haunted by the demon of death. Why are you trying to project it onto Sata? In case you are that ignorant, sickness and death are inevitable for any living being, you included fo0lish Ndobo. Why do you behave as if you are immune to sickness and death? Just bury your shame after being exposed as a liar
iwe read my comment again, am not wishing your Sata death, what am saying is that your Sata needs a good rest in peace instead of warning and becoming physical with minning companies,,, he needs all this energy for his recovery or for his journey to………
@Umubemba inkonko why are so bitter and afraid.Is sata your God everyman will surely die some day.Its is so true that Sata’s Days are near after all he is leaving in borrowed time because the bible says the years of Man are 70.So the earlier you stop living in deniel the better all else you day young with heart attack. My advice is have a succession plan in advanced .don’t cry for Sata but for yourself and children he has ran is race and he will leave his children with a golden spoon in there mouth what about you? This why we need to vote wisely not using the tribe but the Brains.
@ Sido Mark – Next time just write in vernacular, you might be able to communicate your point more effectively
What can the Half Dead do. He doesnt even have energy to talk and u want him to roar its NOT POSSIBLE guys.
Leave the dead alone !! Sata is already put in the shelf as Munkombwe Daniel is following suit.
Its enough kombokani ba Sata.
Zambians ought to learn – no free lunch – refund vat period; as advised by Chipimo
Ndobo- you wont believe when I saw the heading, I said to myself ‘but sure eh’! Thinking these people have no shame- calling for a man who is living just day by day to start croaning to the press when he must forcus on his well being!
allo ba Mopani continue with your monkey tricks and you will feel the wrath of akanfulumende. we said provide proof on exports and we will refund you so these empty arm twisting threats will cost you. don’t be styopet. HEMCS doesn’t need to warn these chaps. ABC ba checking ama guys abo then start dialogue. twalachipoka tupele ama Chinese, kuti wakwatako iyiliyonse!
What warn via a facebook status written by Chella? How can a man who is reminded to drink water by his wife during a national speech warn anyone? He is just a greedy, old, senile man hanging onto power. Mugabe has more of a presence than Sata and he has a good 14 years on him.
It is clear, that Zambian economic well being can be affected by a foreign invader.
There is clear and present danger on our soil. GET RID, that’s what we ought to do. Even if we scale down our production in our mines due to lack of technology, we would still be better off. We can still produce enough to pay and keep in employment all miners. We might not make much revenue, but it just means intelligently growing Agriculture, and other industries to make up the difference. We then spend on technological education and acquire machines etc in an extension to the national development plan.I struggle to understand what Glencore and British Investors with colonial tactics are doing in Zambia. We stand at a momentous period in our history to make new investor friends.
Hon. Mr Chikwanda must align himself with the tone of Honourable Mr Yaluma, our national hero!
He must listen to the advice within from Fr Frank Bwalya. Increasing our stake in mines and repossessing/part nationalisation is the only way forward to stop rampant industrial problems derailing our current development plans. And new investor friends with ethics and the will to work with our democratically elected gov’t; not to strong muscle us in an effort to fault our control measures. ZRA has stepped forward strongly for the people of Zambia.
The people of Zambia have expressed a wish on their resources and we need affirmative mandate from the gov’t.