MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) has laid off 3,051 workers while 1,249 employees have opted for voluntary separation as part of Glencore’s debt reduction strategy.
But Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma has condemned MCM’s decision.
MCM is owned by Glencore, which in September this year announced its debt-reduction plan to reduce over US$30 billion net debt by US$10 billion by the end of next year.
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Nkole Chishimba told a press briefing yesterday that MCM has formally informed affected employees on the matter.
Mr Chishimba said MCM will effect redundancies on November 21 and has urged all affected employees to manage their retrenchment package well.
“Mopani has gone ahead to retrench over 4,000 workers. The workers have been briefed. The redundancies will be effected on 21st of this month. We painfully agreed because there is nothing we could do.
“We are appealing to mining houses to always find other better ways of reducing costs when faced with external shocks. The battle we have gone through has not been a battle worth fighting for,” Mr Chishimba said.
He said President Lungu’s six-day visit to the Copperbelt was significant in mitigating lay-offs as evidenced in the 1,600 other jobs that were saved at China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining Corporation Luanshya Copper Mines (CLM), which has placed Baluba mine on care and maintenance and sent workers on forced leave.
“We had a lot of difficulties in dealing with CLM until the coming of the President. Management at that mine did not want to talk to us. Without President Lungu’s coming, we would not have any progress,” Mr Chishimba said.
And Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has placed its Nchanga underground mine on care and maintenance in view of external shocks, which he said, have not spared the company.
Mr Chishimba said the workers will be re-deployed to other KCM functions and that none of them will lose employment during the time Nchanga underground mine will be under care and maintenance.
National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president James Chansa said the problems in the mining sector should not be politicised.
“Our economy is largely dependent on the mines. There is no opposition or ruling party on challenges we are facing in the mining sector.
“If not well handled, [we] will be greatly affected. Contracting jobs are also affected,” Mr Chansa said.
He said mines in North-Western Province were intact and that jobs are safe.
MCM public relations manager Cephas Sinyangwe could not deny the retrenchment of workers but requested for a press query.
President Lungu directed mine unions to negotiate with MCM on how best to sustain jobs and production at the mining company.
Meanwhile, Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa has said that Mopani’s decision to lay off workers is not in the interest of the country but its shareholders abroad.
Mr Musukwa said that there is no insurmountable challenge at Mopani Copper Mine to warrant the laying of of Zambian workers.
He said that government is determined to save the jobs and sustain mining operations in the best interest of the country.
Mr Musukwa said that the arrogance exhibited by the mining firm is disappointing and will not be entertained.
He has since asked Mopani management to continue engaging the government and Mine unions in an effort to find an amicable solution to the challenges the sector is facing other than rushing into job cuts.
Where is kambwili to issue blank threats?
HH privatized the mines with that little devil Chiluba and he conveniently died!
Now its dog eat dog situation! Where is neckless rabies dog kambwili to chase shadows???
Are these the results of Edgar’s 5-day working holiday? Edgar was boasting that his meetings with the mines was a success. This is not the meaning of success.
@Nubia Princess, I really did not want to say this to you. But I can say that you are a goat. Chiluba and Sata sold the mines. HH was merely doing the work he was told to do. He was not a decision maker in this issue. Surely you’re a cunt.
GOD HAS ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS
kekekekeke,
and these i.d.i.o.t.s think they can have marketeers in professional positions and solve this crisis. Am loving this. Let this country erupt and they will see if they get any police to stop the masses. I don’t feel sorry for the Zambian people. For all I care let them run out of even news paper to shit with and keep shouting PF. Good
here in Australia our exports are at 362 Million tonnes so the country has focused on other industry and the unemployment rate has even dropped confidence boosted more Jobs created yet we have lost more than Zambia. its not magic yet we have lost so much.
Aba ba phocolor running Zambia will kill people and yet they are all comfortably dying with painless Aids. Look at the photos all with anaemia.
More popcorn please.
Dull Nubian, the mines were sold as a condition of debt forgiveness by IMF, a debt accrued by your uncle Chikwanda in UNIP. Bunda bwa tuma smart comments lyonse kanshi you are actually a tin can.
MM Le Grand Boss there is no need for offensive dirty language. Especially that you answered Nubian Princess with proper reason.
To bad for the affected colleagues, Lets hope you both UNIONS have bargained for a good packages for the affected miners. Has for MUZ (Nkole) and NUMAW (Chansa), who doesn’t know that you guys are PF cadres? May you kindly spear Us with those issues of politicizing the situation because ECL was there and those are the results. Kudos ECL for your efforts even though No results for it!
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In place of working out something for our brothers and sisters working for these mines, PF is busy running after an individual in the name of HH.
And may HE the President account for the time he spent on the Copperbelt in view of these developments.
@ Nubian Princess
Whilst “little devil Chiluba … conveniently died”, fat father of corruption (RB) and clueless laying pseudo populist (Sata) did not register Ruling of the High Court of England against Chiluba for theft of USD 47Million which instead went to Vera !!!
@Rian leave the hard working chishimba out of this. MCM is supporting UPND and trying to bring Down ECL. But let me tell u that miners still be believe in the youthful leadership of ECL. 2016 ifintu ni Lungu!
If this is Edgars 8/10 I fear to see what his 10/10 is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!
Our very clever and honest VICE PRESIDENT, Inongwe Wina has promised to create 500, 000 new jobs by the end of 2016!
NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!
When PF came to power they found a surplus of funds left by RB, copper prices were at their highest, they thought my gawd, this is mana from heaven. Sata even moved the RDA to his bedroom as They then embarked on a borrowing and then spending frenzy, in the process mechanisms were put in place for stealing by overcharging the country for projects and trousering the differences. The whole PF had their eyes on those contracts for projects while forgetting to do their jobs. As the saying goes, you reap what you sow…..
We shall arrest these thieves in PF for subjecting our fellow Zambians to such poverty levels that has never been seen since 1989 KK’s time. Fellow Zambians in case there is someone still doubting please change now or remain a lone.PF like I always say they a simply a bunch of organized criminals with no idea of how to run a country. Lets purge them out of Government as soon as possible. Other wise we will be in big shit by the time we shall start paying back huge nkongole(Kaloba) .I am afraid for those who have no means to defend themselves from these hash economic condition. I cry and feel for them. Me I am out of the country.
It’s called debt reduction but in actual fact they are taking advantage of the depreciated kwacha. Assuming their financial year end is based on the Gregorian calendar then their last one was 31 December 2014. Based on xe.com the exchange rate on 31 December 2014 was K6.4 and todays rate is K12.59 to a US dollar. Assuming the retrenchment packages of the 4,000 laid off employees was K64,000,000 as at 31 December 2014 the US dollar equivalent was $10,000,000. Barring any change in exchange rate if that debt is paid off on 21 November 2015 they only have to transfer $5,083,399.52 (64,000,000/12.59) to settle the debt them realizing a profit of $4,916,600.48 for the shareholders. They probably will even realize more profit as they can demand what rate to transfer the dollars at considering…
You clearly don’t understand how profits work. You can not realise a profit that did not exist in the first place. Has the cost reduced for the mine because of the depreciation of the Kwacha? Yes it has. But so has the revenue since the copper price is down. The decision to lay off workers was made by Glencore, which is trying to reduce its debt burden by USD10bn. I seriously doubt they were just waiting for the Kwacha to depreciate so that they could save USD5m. Zambians and Math, a very big challenge
Splaka, from the flag icon it seems you are in RSA and I assume you send or someone you know sends money to Zambia from there. I am also sure that for the same amount in kwacha that was sent before the depreciation of the kwacha less Rands are being sent now. Therefore, there is a saving in Rands for whoever is sending to Zed but the people in Zambia receive the same amount as before. It’s the same with Glencore they report their books in a foreign currency say US dollar. So when reporting that debt they will be showing a lesser amount in dollars in their books for the retrenchment debt based in kwacha every time the kwacha depreciates. The difference in debt amounts due to exchange rate movements are called unrealized gains (profit) so they can not show it in their books as such…
The difference in debt amounts due to exchange rate movements are called unrealized gains (profit) so they can not show it in their books as such. However, once that debt is paid the exchange difference will be shown as a realized gain (profit) in their books. Hopefully its simple enough for you now. I don’t think that Glencore had to wait for the kwacha to depreciate to lay off people but that they are taking advantage as most business persons would.
They probably will even realize more profit as they can demand what rate to transfer the dollars at considering the amount involved is most likely a lot higher. We have the resources in abundance but have baskets that leak non stop to realize any gain from them. Its very painful to witness. Zambia wake up.
And even more ignorance in this post. Again, I ask, do you think a USD10bn decision was made because of the depreciation of the Kwacha? You are seriously nuts!
The kwacha has been in free fall recently and only an excess injection of the dollar than is required will cause it to appreciate in a free exchange rate market. When Glencore settles the retrenchment debts they will transfer funds in dollars at a certain rate to get the required kwacha and in this case Glencore will have a lot of the desired dollars to send to Zambia. They will, therefore, have an upper hand since the demand for kwacha is waning (that’s why it’s depreciating in simple terms) as the kwacha is a very risky commodity to have recently. Haven’t you observed that the kwacha generally depreciates when it’s salaries time for the mines or when paying foreign debts. That’s one of the reasons. May be do a bit of homework before exposing your ignorance in such a way. All the…
Go and check Glencore balancesheet and annual income then you will realise that they would not be wasting time with what you are saying
2014 EDITDA US$12.7bn three quarters the GDP of Zambia
and you expect them to be F.OOLing around with a Kwacha
These are the consequences of the politics and policies ushered in with so-called multipartyism of 1991. I always say that if you, the few who are rich, do not take care of the many who are poor, you will be swept out in a tide of discontent and discord. The shakeup we warned you about is just rumbling. There is time to do something about social security, about institutional strengthening, and about open governance. This idea of politics in everything MUST STOP. Let’s do something right for once in our fcuking lives!
Makes a lot of sense Kalok!
the minister is only trying to cover his ASS
Very sad indeed, but we had it coming, threats don’t solve problems or challenges, dialogue does. The mismanagement of our economy and the proliferation of unplanned development embarked upon at the behest of political expedience has caused all this. We should learn for once to separate politics from economic emancipation and astute planning. Short term fixes or fire fighting techniques being employed buy the PF in every sphere of our economy is not only detrimental but a recipe for anarchy and disorderliness. Policy mismanagement has had a bearing, if not made investors to lose confidence in our economy and we are now reaping the consequences.Take heed and dialogue instead of using threats for once.
I do not understand some reasoning in some post. Hiw do you blame restoration of the country’s infrastructure to a debt accrued by a private company, Glencore?? Are uiu reasoning fyom your butt?
“Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa has said that Mopani’s decision to lay off workers is not in the interest of the country but its shareholders abroad.”
Duh. Of course it is – where does this individual think those colossal sums of money going into capital projects is coming from? Bottom line is they have to answer to shareholders who cannot keep throwing money into a bottomless pit with no commensurate returns. Instead of ranting about not entertaining this situation when letters telling people they’re fired are already being prepared, let GRZ lay out explicitly what they are doing to address issues which have contributed to this mess, eg. paying back VAT of which not a penny has yet been repaid, getting power supply back on track, stable fiscal policies etc.
You are so right, @ParisisBurning. I often wonder what it is that employees contribute Superannuation and Workmens’ compensation for. I also wonder why we have a Ministry of Social Welfare (I forget what iterative name it is being called now – Community Development? Kaya!). We have moved to a government that just gives jobs to cronies at the expense of the issues that these appointments need addressing. This fo.olish Deputy Minister would have been discussing how the fates of these poor men and women who work so diligently would be addressed by government and their contributions. Why else do we pay taxes and contribute to social welfare??
WE TOLD THESE EMPTY HEADS IN LEADERSHIP THAT THE TIME TO BENEFIT FROM OUR COPPER WAS WHEN THE PRICE OF THE COMMODITY WAS HIGH. WE ADVISED THEM TO REINTRODUCE THE WINDFALL TAX WHICH MONEY COULD HAVE USED TO CUSHION ALL THE PROBLEMS BEING FACED NOW. OTHER COUNTRY WHERE THEY HAVE CAPABLE LEADERS, THEY CREATED SOVEREIGN FUNDS FOR TIMES LIKE THESE. WITH THESE FULISHI LEADERS WE HAVE THEY WENT ON BORROWING SPREE HOPING THAT THE HONEYMOON WILL GO ON FOR GOOD. HERE WE ARE NOW, THEY ARE EVEN CONFUSED BUT THE SITUATION IS JUST BEGINNING TO GET WORSE, WHAT MORE WITH THE DROUGHT THIS SEASON?
You know what ,as Zambians I think its time to take back what is rightfully ours,KCM will not reduce us to beggars, The government is on record saying if KCM are not willing to continue running the mines pls ….give us the Zambians back the mines period, therefore reinstate all the workers,blackmailing game is not nice.If you are not willing go back to India… Thank you. By the way you are not the only investors.
Do you think the government is going to manage to run the mines at a profit with all the corruption and cronyism and political interference, without access to foreign capital because they have no reputation for proper management and repayment? The private companies have failed to make a profit for their shareholders despite being much more efficient than government ever has been and being able to raise finance at reasonable interest rates. You have to make a profit or break even to pay workers and if the private companies could make a profit, or break even in these hard times to hold out for better times, do you think they would be closing down? If Zambia takes back the mines we will just borrow more money at higher interest rates on the bonds market to pay mineworkers, for votes for PF…
It’s blatantly clear that government has no control over the affairs of this country and that they so called dialogue with the mines yielded the same result. Government still refusing to accept that the situation is beyond decree…
PF FOR PAYA FARMERS, AND NOW PAYA MINERS! ZAMBIA IS INDEED DOOMED WITH LUNGU AND PF REMAINING IN POWER. ZAMBIA HAS BEEN SOLD OUT BY THE CROOK LUNGU. WHY DO WE ALLOW THICK HEADS AND CRIMINALS TO RUN THE AFFAIRS OF OUR NATION?
Nubian Princess!!
I think people like this chap never passed through a classroom , Little fool , if you hire a consultant to value your property before you sale it and your are satisfied with the valuation, then latter on you realise that you made a wrong decision , blame yourself foolish Nubian Princess not the consultant.
It is time to face the facts.
Lungu and his circus of PF clowns are out of their depth. They have absolutely no idea what they are doing!
Mines in DRC and Chile are still working when ours are closing down. Why?
The simple answer is that investors have seen that there is no future with the inconsistent rubbish coming from Lungu, Chilkwanda and the other M0R0Ns supposed to be running the country and are moving their business elsewhere.
SIs, VAT refunds, royalty tax and inflation have been mishandled by grossly incompetent id!ots.
Zambia is now seeing the results of an inadequate Constitution and corrupt PF Government.
the collapse of the mines is political. VAT refund has not been honored by grz. the funds could have been used to sustain the mines for 10 months. mind you the actual value in ZMW has doubled meaning the general workforce could have been on a salary for atleast 20 months. this is just a protest to have the refund effected, unfortunately, the government is broke/bankrupt.
Not looking good for Lungu after going ku copperbelt and declaring ati ‘all mine jobs are safe’ what a moron.
Copperbelt copperbelt copperbelt! You voting pattern in the last elections was soo tribally stinking! Now your “ifintu ni Lungu” slogan has come back to bite you in your prats. I hope this is just the beginning of a calamitous loss of jobs on the Copperbelt, “Silimo se economy itami luta tuto-tuna lipombwe tuni”. By the time Mopani and others are done with you, you will be back in stone age.
UFO WHERE ARE YOU? PLEASE COMMENT ON WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED. WE TRIED TO RAISE THE ALARM LAST WEEK THAT THIS WAS INEVITABLE AND YOU HAD THE NERVE TO CALL US SKEPTICS. HERE ARE AND THE JOB LOSES ARE NOW A REALITY. WE TOLD YOU SO. UFO THIS MY FRIEND IS ONLY THE FIRST WAVE. GLENCORES STRESS IS NO WHERE NEAR WHAT VENDETA HAS TO DEAL WITH. PF HAS COMPLICATED MINING IN ZAMBIA BY EFFECTING REDUNDANT MONETARY POLICY AND RETROGRESSIVE TAX POLICY NOT TO MENTION THE COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY THE LOADSHEDDING SITUATION. BOTTOM LINE IS LUNGU AND THE PF ARE TO BLAME FOR THIS.TRYING TO SHIFT OR BLAME TO EXTERNAL FACTORS IS A LIE. ZAMBIA IS NOT THE ONLY COUNTRY AFFECTED BY THOSE EXTERNAL FACTORS YET THE PAIN IS FELT MOST IN ZAMBIA. REASON? BAD GOVERNMENT. SADLY THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST WAVE. UFO THIS IS…
UFO THIS IS REALITY. THESE JOB LOSSES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF GOVERNMENT HAD PLANNED WELL. THE PRICE OF COPPER HAS ALWAYS FLACTUATED AND COMPANIES ADJUST BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF VIRTUAL CLOSE DOWN. YOU AND YOUR PF CADRES WILL TRY TO SHIFT THE BLAME BUT THE PEOPLE KNOW. GOVERNMENT CAUSED THESE JOB LOSES BECAUSE OF BAD POLICY. THE WORSED PART IS GOVERNMENT NOT BIENG TRUTHFUL TO THE PEOPLE. THEY LNOW THIS IS COMING AND THEY CONTINUE TO LIE TO US. ESPECIALLY KAMBWILI AND LUNGU.
well, when copper prices was at peak we never head them mines say we’re making good profit so we are going to employee more workers and double theirs salaries plus develop the roads through out the country, build hospitals, schools etc. now that is not the case, after they have stolen our mineral in the name of investor, by the way what have they invested in this country? the have only left holes in the ground. no wonder mugabe said these thieves are going back to colonize us in the name of investor. leave us alone go and invest in your country why Zambia?
@ss, it is always wise not to comment on issues where you have absolutely no idea, you have just shown complete ignorance…
This is the problem with you Zambians. It’s not the job of investors to develop your country. They are there for business. To make a profit. You collect royalties. Use it to develop your country! That’s why Africa is lagging behind. You expect other people to come and develop it. Have some pride. Show you can do something instead of having the world think Africans can’t do anything.
Lesa tewakwangasha. People prayed, and God only responded with what is good for his suffering peoplr
How are the 500,000 new jobs coming along?
@ Kolopa,
According to “Swearing-In Schedule” and other parasitic appointments, we are almost there.
Lungu is too weak for a president he can’t make important decisions even lupiya was better than him why not fire the finance minister who for four years people don’t know what he is doing even at his village if he has one people can be shocked at how the man is a passenger in a very important ministry.The man dosent add even any value to your club pf should you everyone suffer becouse he is satas relative to me kaseba is more useful to your club than the old man you
When we tell you that we have empty tins for leaders who have no understanding of business operations you think its a joke…the mines are not in Zambia to give you jobs…wake up!
Lungu is too weak for a president he can’t make important decisions even lupiya was better than him why not fire the finance minister who for four years people don’t know what he is doing even at his village if he has one people can be shocked at how the man is a passenger in a very important ministry.The man dosent add even any value to your club pf should everyone suffer becouse he is satas relative to me kaseba is more useful to your club than the old man you
IFINTU NI LUNGU?!! HERE YOU GO. UNLESS WE HAVE A CHANGE OF POLICY AND A SURGE OF INVESTMENT IN OTHER SECTORS WE ARE LOOKING AT MANY MORE JOB LOSES. MEAN WHILE WINA, CHIKWANDA, DORA, KAMBWILI AND LUNGU ARE ENJOYING BISCUITS IN LUSAKA. AS LONG AS PF IS IN POWER SERIOUS INVESTORS WILL HOLD OFF. INFACT MANY OF THE ONES QE HAVE NOW ARE PULLING OUT. PF IS BAD FOR BUSINESS.YOU MAY CALL IT POLITICIZING BUT THE THRUTH IS PF MUST GO. AS LONG AS PF IS IN POWER ALL THEY WILL DO IS GATHER PEOPLE FOR FAKE PRAYERS AND PARADING HYPOCRITICAL CHRISTIANITY. IMAGINE LUNGU MOCKINGGOD BY REWARDING FAKE PRIESTS LIKE FRANK BWALYA AND CHOMBA. AFTER A FAKE DAY OF PRAYER AND RRECONCILIATION. IS THIS WHAT ZAMBIA WAS FASTING FOR. THIS IS WHAT WE GET FOR HAVING A GOVERNMENT THAT THINKS THEY CAN MOCK GOD. REWARDING…
Well done Mopani, may other mine owners follow suit accordingly. This year “ninshiku shakwa Noah, kano munye amenshi. Ati ifintu ni Lungu, atase!
Exactly! Let them close them for all I care. Northwestern where the bulk of copper is coming from, no one cares in this useless govt about the solwezi/chingola road. Instead they are doing roads where they come from in eastern, muchinga, northen, luapula who contribute little or nothing to GDP. I don’t care whether the mines are closed. My pipo in NWP have benefited nothing
… (CONT) REWARDING FAKE PRIESTS LIKE FRANK BWALYA AND CHOMBA. THE KWACHA LOSING MORE VALUE AND YET TO COME EVEN MORE JOB LOSES. THESE ARE THE ANSWERS LUNGU HAS GIVEN TO THOSE OF YOU THAT SUPPOSEDLY FASTED WITH HIM AND GATHERED FOR HIS FAKE PARADE AT SHOWGROUNDS. IFINTU KU CHUULA BANE. IF YOU VOTE AND SUPPORT PF EXPECT MORE JOB LOSES. JUST BECAREFUL NEXT JOB ON THE LINE COULD BE YOURS. AS LONG AS KWACHA IS FALLING AND GOVERNMENT HAS NO MONEY YOU MY FRIEND COULD BE NEXT. IFINTU NI LUNGU?!!!! WE NEED CHANGE OR ELSE WE WILL ALL GO HUNGRY!!!!
You recall these lies:
June 4, 2014 | Filed under: Editor’s Choice | Posted by: + Editor, On 3 June 2014 The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Executive Director Pukuta Mwanza said among other things that “those that think the President is not in good health should instead commit him in prayers” and that “the President is in a better position to say whether he is well or not instead of speculating on his health”. The PF government machinery is on record assuring the people that the president is well and that there is no need to worry. On 4 June 2014, the president himself assured the people that he is fine and that his carrying out his duties as president normally. But then why should there be so much speculation even after all these assurances and are Zambians wrong to speculate…
and talk about the president’s health? First and foremost, the president and the PF should understand that the presidency is part of the governance system and any person that occupies the office of president becomes the property of the government. He becomes head of state and his decisions which potentially affects all the 13 million Zambian are affected by his state of health. If the head of state is sick to an extent were his sickness affects his ability to discharge his official duties, then the Zambian people could be justified in discussing his health because they are directly affected. The events of the past few weeks seem to provide input into our daily discussions in offices, on the streets, our homes, market places, in public places, etc. On 1 May 2014, I so happened to have been…
among the many workers that turned up for labour day celebrations in Lusaka. I had not seen the president for some time before this day. I was shocked at his physical appearance as I matched passed him and it goes without saying that apart from his historical one minute speech, the day’s gossip centered around the president’s appearance, he looked very pale. Then came the court appearance on 21 May 2014. This appearance raises alot of legal questions and otherwise. For example, does our president listen to advise? Because I doubt that his advisors advised his to go to court. The way he behaved in court, was that normal behavour befitting the head of state? Is everything really ok up stairs? And then there is the famous photo shot from the court as he was leaving, that photo speaks volumes.
Africa freedom day events 25 May 2014! We saw how the president struggled to walk straight at the freedom statue and how the whole event was cut short. The award giving ceremony at state house was cut short, only seven people were awarded and the rest were to be awarded later. No speeches which is strange for our president, he loves to talk. He failed to turn up for the official opening of the Heros stadium and no official explanation has been given. On 4 May 2014, I saw him on ZNBC 19:00 hours main news talking about him being fit. According to EFZ Executive Director Pukuta Mwanza, this should settle the president’s health debate since the president said he was fit. Well, I beg to differ. We have been here before as Zambian. If history has taught us anything especially in African, it is…
not to take a sitting president’s word on his health. The late FTJ said power is sweet and African history has taught us that the political hunger zone and the president’s handlers would rather the president expires in office than step down at the expense of the nation. We are back at the cross roads, all the signs are there that the president is not well and has not been for a long time. Who is to call for a medical board according to the constitution? Going by our current weak constitution, we are stuck with our president. There is serious need to strengthen our governance institutions and instruments. The current constitution places the responsibility of starting the process to investigate the president’s health on cabinet which owes its allegiance to the president. I don’t see any of…
the PF cabinet members doing that and later on any other government. The constitution provides: Article 36. [Removal of President on grounds of incapacity] (1) If it is resolved by a majority of all the members of the Cabinet that the question of the physical or mental capacity of the President to discharge the functions of his office ought to be investigated, and they so inform the Chief Justice, then the Chief Justice shall appoint a board consisting of not less than three persons selected by him from among persons who are qualified as medical practitioners under the law of Zambia or under the law of any other country in the Commonwealth, and the board shall inquire into the matter and report to the Chief Justice on whether or not the President is, by reason of any infirmity of body or…
or mind, incapable of discharging the functions of his office.
That was the tragic story of Ukwa Satan, thank god he is no longer among us!
UPND cadres and their leaders have pin sized brains. I do not understand why they are blaming Government when everyone knows that Glencore, the owners of Mopani have $30 billion debt while the copper prices are low. Is the government responsible for Glencore???
I know hh has everything to loose if he loses the next election. He should show leadership if he is a serious person on this matter than make things worse for the people.
I can never vote for that man come rain come sunshine.
@BANTUSTAN NYANDULE IS ZAMBIA THE ONLY PLACE GLENCORE MINES COPPER? WHY ARE THEY ABLE TO INVESTMORE IN OTHER AREA WHILE CUTTING DOWN THIER INVESTMENT IN ZAMBIA? THE STORY OF GLENCORE IS NOT NEW. BLOOMBERG BROKE THIS STORY WEEKS AGO. ITS THE POLICIES OF THE PF THAT ARE UNIQUE TO ZAMBIA. THE FALL OF THE KWACHA AND LOAD SHEDDING COUPLED WITH TAX POLICY THAT ARE FORCING GLENCORE TO SECOND GUESS THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN ZAMBIA.
Am afriad ,some miners will now become destitues in CB..This how it’s going to be.There packages will be deposited in the there personal bank account and some who have nkongole (Loans)with the bankers will have there money deducted since unions or govt does n’t give wise advice to invest there packages in meaningful ventures they will end up Eating Polony and drinking Chibuku in compounds till the last coin the aftermath will be terrible.ifintu tafilibwino.
NEXT HEADLINES
” ZESCO AND ZAMTEL SOON TO BE FACED WITH LAY OFFS” OR “GOVERNMENT WORKERS NOT PAID FOR THREE MONTHS ” IFINTU NI LUNGU? YOU COULD BE NEXT!!!!
Richard Musukwa has said nothing worth writing about, even worse Christopher Yaluma.
These PFOOLs are a bunch of idiootss
Infinitu ni Lungu…did we not tell you that the lazy bum Edgar was merely on holiday in CB wasting taxpayers money?
…I thot ECL is on record for having said he wont allow any mine to lay off workers….since he took the mantle himself when he was in CB…who then will the union run to now….Obama??…Kambwili has even failed to comment because he has run out of lies to cover up the previous lies….what is happening on CB can be compared to chopping off one hand and poking out an eye on a productive bread winner…there as absolutely no need of ECL going to Tanzania….taking a holiday at a time like this….he demonstrated he cares less
yes, and Glencore is on record stating that the Z gov understand why it is necessary to close the mines.
My vote is coming, ECL kuya bebele
I thought its only in Zimbabwe, where companies and mines are closing up and laying off workers.
Glory be to God, one day we will be there. We have prayed all we need is to believe God with whom all things are possible. Mark 9:23,29. Looking to God is the only solution. We will not be shaken by all these negative developments, they are here to glorify God. Very soon the omnipotent God will do it and all enemies of God will be low. He has promised, he will never fail, he will answer and give us rest because his faithfulness is forever more.
In fact very few countries in Africa have been spared, big economies like Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana etc are hardly hit. Therefore it is hypocritical for politicians like HH to go ahead and start politicising the situation to gain political mileage over the suffering and ignorant Zambians about the biting economy and job loses in the…
This is a dark day for Zambia.
When Mwanawasa wanted to introduce Windfall Taxes when copper prices were high the mining houses cried foul and were supported by the likes of hakainde. By the WAY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WINDFALL PROFITS?
Today President Lungu is being villified and insulted by the tribalists and hakainde is an angel. Nobody has suggested how hakainde would salvaged the situation.
Meanwhile I urge Government to suspend all projects which will not have an immediate Impact like Universities construction.
Upnd is dreaming if they think the retrenched miners will flock to them.
No one is talking tribalism here. In case u don’t know all human beings are tribal including u arm critic. Your facts are also incorrect. HH supported windfall tax. @arm chair critic you just hate HH with a passion. Just concentrate on advising your clueless govt and probably u r also clueless. The problems in Zambia are mismanagement not lack of resources. If u put the likes of sata who was a dull orangutan in govt, u get what u ask for. Just like lungu. GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT
Miners, sorry for that but remember that these things do happen to everyone once in a while, whether they work in an Indian shop or for black Zambian or a south african firm or on a ranch owned by HH, even banks, or you work for Apple or Toyota – also companies do collapse and go under liquidation once in a while – you can even ask HH who should be able to agree that this is the truth, i.e. if he has any integrity left in him at all. We will sink now but we will rise again as we have done before. It is painful but these are the facts of life, the life that God has given us.
I want to emphasise that if you worked for HH on his ranches or any of his companies, if the company faced such difficulties he would have to take corrective measures to sustain the company. You see, HH may even own shares in the same companies that are retrenching you, and he would agree with the measures taken of laying off so that his shares and dividends are protected.
So you see that even HH is not immune to such decisions, ask him to his face when things cool down on the Copperbelt and reason returns, and he is allowed to address a meeting with you miners. Remember to ask him to buy your copper at $6,000 per ton and alll your problems will disappear.
HH should be made to work hard for his votes rather than taking the easy way out by telling lies to you poor miners at your weakest…
@terrible,
you do not have to show hatred to HH for the problems taking place in the country.
The Zambian leadership under sata mismanaged the economy and policy direction and a global compound, we are all suffering for this and paying heavily.
If for people like you nothing seems to show self regret for the mistakes we have made, then it is now easy to understand why and where we are today…..always moving hidden in shadows from the truth.
you cant show so much hatred about yourself by reflecting it on another person. don’t deny yourself the pain you are experiencing, its in you and t is stuck. so be realistic for a second
Glencore have closed mines in Australia,Chile RSA and will also lay 4,000 workers in DRC.UPND fools think Glencore measures are only in Zambia?Research and then comment
It are the same Rothschild barons over and over again. Who funded De Beers in 1887 – the 1st Lord Rothschild, baron Nathaniel Mayer Rothschild. (Google: de beers history rothschild) Who became the Founding Chairman of De Beers in 1888? Cecil John Rhodes.
Who is Glencore? GlencoreXstrata is now chaired by former British Petroleum’s Tony Hayward, who is now in a joint venture called Vallares, with the future 5th Lord Rothschild, Nathaniel Philip. (Google: vallares rothschild hayward)
What is Privatisation? Well that is a process invented by Rothschild Bank. (Google: rothschild history privatisation) What are the Eurobonds that have now put Zambia back into debt? (Google: eurobonds history rothschild)
Who borrowed money and then built private real estate in South Africa?
Rhodes? No.
Rothschild? No.
Please stop wanking your lilliputian brain and look at the facts.
What about the IMF/WB which insists on the Rothschild’s privatisation policy whenever it extends a loan? Well the World Bank was headed by James D. Wolfensohn, who was not only named James after his father’s employer James Armand de Rothschild, son of baron Edmond James de Rothschild, who together financed the Israeli settlements before independence in 1948. (google: rothschild edmond james knesset)
Or the links between IMF president Christine Lagarde and Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, wife of sir Evelyn baron de Rothschild (former director of De Beers and head of NM Rothschild & Sons)? (Google: economic inclusion lagarde rothschild)
Is it any surprise that the IMF encourages countries to go into debt instead of taxing De Beers or Rio Tinto?
Forgot to mention: until 1995, the future President of the World Bank, James D. Wolfensohn was in a joint venture with the 4th Lord Rothschild baron Jacob Rothschild, called J. Rothschild, Wolfensohn & Co. (Google: wolfensohn a global life rothschild)
Hey ecsay! stop yapping, the blame game and; remain focussed and offer solutions. This is no jocking matter.Yes Chiluba, Nawakwi and HH sold the mines. We shall not brame them forever. Ecsay, miners are being laid off; so what’s next. Way forward kaili. Remember, INVESTOR temunobe at a time like this. If you were at the Helm of things(CEO of Mopani oro investor) in the current economic turbulence, how else would you have handled the situation?
We just need a simple but vibrant party to sort out this problems. Its just a matter of time God, will hear a cry.
@MIMBULU ALL THE OTHER CLOSURE THAT YOU ARE REFERING TO WHERE EXPECTED TO HAPPEN EXCPET FOR ONE IN RSA IN WHICH GLENCORE IS CUTTING COAL PRODUCTION TO STAY IN LINE WITH DEMAND AND STREAMLINE COSTS. AUSTRELIAN SITUATION IS MAILNLY A FORCED CLOSURE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS BY THE GOVERNMENT. CHILE IS BECAUSE THE MINE IS NEARING ITS EXPECTED LIFE SPAN. ZAMBIA AND DRC ARE THE ONLY CLOSURE DUE TO FAILING GOVERNMENT POLICY. POLITICAL TURMIOL IN DRC AND BAD POLICY IN ZAMBIA. TRY AS YOU MIGHT YOU CAN NOT SHIELD THE PF FROM THIER INCOMPETENCE.
Guys,
Lubambe in Chililabombwe, and
Metorex in Chibuluma…
…WILL FOLLOW NEXT!!!
Get ready!
GLENCORE THE MOTHER BODY IS INVOLVED METAL PRICING,MARKETING PRODUCTION OF ALL KINDS OF METALS. THEY WANT TO LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS,REDUCE PRODUCTION TO CREATE SHORTAGE AT WORLD MARKET SO THAT PRICES CAN GO UP.ITS NOT JUST IN ZAMBIA BUT EVEN IN CONGO ITS THE SAME.WHAT IS BAD IN ZED IS WE ARE APPROACHING ELECTIONS & OPPOSITION IS USING THIS TO CAUSE TENTIONS IN THE NATION. ONE WOULD THINK ANGLO AMERICA HAS SHARES IN THE MOTHER BODY & WANTS TO SUPPORT THERE ALLIAY HH BY FIRING WORKERS ON CB.ON THE OTHER HAND I SUPPORT THEM COS MOST MINERS ARE OLD EVEN AT KANSASHI I SAW ONE OF ABOUT 75 TO 80 YRS THIS GOES FOR WHITES ALSO. MAKE SURE VERY FEW WHITES SHUD REMAIN LET THEM PUBLISH NAMES FOR TRANSPARENCY SAKE.MOST OF THESE WHITES DO COMPLETELY NONTHING ~FIRE THEM FIRST BEFORE U FIRE ZAMBIANS UNION…
There is nothing wrong to laid off the workers when the company is not doing well or making lose. They are simply making the early Retirement to those at the Age of 45 and above in order to reduce the number of workers so that the Company can meat worker’s needs.
the people who are Managing those Companies like MOPANI (MCM) are highly learned people unlike the Zambian Government even when they are making lose they still want to increase the retirement age ? for those who did BUSINESS MANAGEMENT more especially ABMA can agree with MOPANI (MCM)
(ABMA) CERTIFICATE LEVEL3 5 SUBJECTS
1. Economics of the Marketplace
2. Understanding Functions and Roles within Business Organizations
3. Introduction to Business Strategy and Planning
4. Principles of Budgets and…
Well since there are 500,000 jobs promised, the miners need not to worry after all they will be employed elsewhere by 2016. Ifintu ni Lungu
But what does the minister expect? His country has no electricity.
I feel very sorry about the miners who have lost jobs. It is my sincere prayer that God gives them wisdom to use the little retrenchment package wisely. If the government meant well what it said about creating 500,000 jobs, then let it give the jobs to all miners who have been retrenched, and that will just be a small number, about 6.000 of 500,000 jobs to be created, leaving a balance of 494,000 jobs. Time for the government to prove its sincerity. We can do away with ministers who just rant and keep on lying that no miner will loose a job. To be honest is better than to be a liar. The owners of the mines are not arrogant, they are smart people with warm feelings for the workers and are in business to make money, pay taxes and employ locals. It is in the best interest for the company to…
I AGREE WITH JLALUSA UNIONS MAKE SURE THE BADDEN IS SHARED EQUALLY BETWEEN FOREGN AND ZED MINERS.IF THAT NUMBER IS 40% OF ZED THEN 40% Of Whites SHUD ALSO GO NO COMPROMISE ON THIS ONE & NO GUD REASON SHUD MAKE THEM STAY.FUNDS SHUD BE CHECKED INTELLIGENCE MAKE SURE UNIONS ARE NOT CORRUPTED BY MANAGEMENT