President Edgar Lungu says he will not allow Zambia to be black mailed or arm twisted by mining investors as the country is still ripe for investment.
Speaking upon arrival on the Copperbelt at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport, President Lungu said his sole purpose to the Copperbelt was to address the cry of the people in the region who wish to divorce parties with the two mining Conglomerates, Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines.
“I came for one reason, the people of Copperbelt want a divorce between themselves and the Copper Mining companies, KCM and Mopani and I have heard their cries, I decided to come here myself and listen to the people, the unions, the workers. I saw people crying on what is happening through KCM, mothers crying so I said if it is the will of the Zambian people that we divorce with these mines then we will do so”, the President said.
President Lungu revealed that he will engage the expert representatives who include the Chamber of Mines, various unions and the workers as well as consult with the legal brains in the country and the specialized field.
“I want to consult my chamber of mines, I will be meeting them, the various mine workers union to find out what they think. My position is that enough is enough Zambians have been taken for a ride for too long,” a fearless President Lungu spoke before stating that that he was not scared.
President Lungu said he will not allow mining companies exploiting workers in to stay in the country by paying low wages or treat Zambians like slaves.
He observed that his position was not to instill fear in investors but maintained that he will not allow Zambia to be black mailed before revealing that other potential investors linger.
President Lungu re-emphasized the zero tolerance to investor exploitation and tossed away perpetual claims from the mining giants noting that for so many years they have claimed to be working at a loss but yet continue to operate in Zambia.
He emphasized that government will not do away with the introduction of sales tax saying that it is here to stay.
President Lungu said Zambia is a sovereign state and when government decide to make laws they will not be black mailed by the investor and those who cannot stay can walk away.
Action speaks loud than words Mr President. How many time have we heard this warning. More over Aqwira’s first stop in Zambia is state house, you should have given him an ultimatum.
An incompetent weakling trying to sound strong. This is like the way some insects puff themselves up to try and intimidate predators. News flash: we all know that you are a compromised and powerless man. We also know that you are incompetent and are surrounded by incompetent people. Even if you take over the mines, you will just run them into the ground because you will employ incompetent cadres who will steal everything.
Zambian docile citizenry continue to be blackmailed by Partya Fipuba. Truly all investors pass through PF, some get black mailed too, like Nyansi Construction of eSwatini.
We await action. And don’t tell us about “other investors await”, take over these mines & run them. Zambia has run it’s own mines before, with direct benefits to Zambians. Why do we have to surrender them to foreigners? What benefit has the country seen since the mines were given away for free by Chiluba & HH?
Economy = President + Finance Minister
Mines Labour issues = Minister of Mines + Minister of Labour (+ Minister Commerce)
This team can never perform if the head of State is the one going to do ministerial duties …he does not know his role. This is why you pick people who are smarter than you in your organisation to best manage your time, did we ever hear Mwanawasa going to mines to discuss such issues with them?
Tweende Lungu, tweende webo!!! I love what I saw on the YouTube video on this speech and it’s time to be decisive and take over what’s ours once and for all.
That’s how we are going to run this country. ECL has grown well on the job … let’s roll.
Epo mpelele,
BRM
Look at BR JUNIOR sat there in his comfortable sofa typing away folly…he has no compunction whatsoever he has even the nerve to run his mouth about nonsensical YouTube drivel, you think we are interested in your fondness for your dull friend LAZY LUNGU….where has he grown well apart from his bank balance.
What a silly man if you have nothing post just stay in your hole and sit down…little man!!!
@Gay Gay … watch this space. Call ECL all the names you want but he’s living the dream. Call me whatever you want and I am living my dream.
Keep running your mouth while we run this country the best way we know how.
You??? Uli ndwiiiiiii … Epo mpelele,
BRM
Jay Jay … the usual low life here. Stop bothering us with personal attacks on credible people like BRM. We can track their progress and we have seen first hand their capabilities. Chagwa is no much for you. Just shut up, your entire life you will never achieve not even a fifth of what BR Mumba has achieved in life let alone Chagwa our President. You are just another empty tin always making noise at LT with nothing to show for.
Drumbeater Luchembe – how can you compare me to someone who is sponging off poor taxpayers…who goes on working visits when people are off on weekends. You have taken bootlicking to another level…really laughable
Can LT block this Jay Jay kid from this forum? He is always destructive otherwise some of will stop patronizing it. He’s very abnoquicious to the president and others. I for one don’t support lungu but I also don’t support disgruntled people like him
@Kremlin. avoid bringing the bringing Russian ‘Kremlin’ mentality on the democratic forum where people can advance their views without being blacked out. Let the two dig into each other and just watch. I am sure they are both entitled to their opinions on any matter.
Kremlin..what’s “abnoquicious”?you have spellchecker but you make your own words. YOU tell me where I have insulted your President? I will tell you why I used such words …if not just sit down or lay on your back and count the stars!!
Okay, finally lazy Lungu has awakened from his deep slumber. He has apparently just learned about these vulture investors, and how much they’ve been exploiting Zambia. They’ve been exploiting Zambia for years, getting our minerals for virtually free, dumping toxic waste in our rivers and on our land, releasing poisonous gases in the atmosphere, causing lung diseases in our people, and then, to add insults to the injury, they even refuse to pay their fare share of taxes. Lazy Lungu needs to prove that this is not just sheer bravado. We need action. If they don’t comply, kick them out even if it means the government taking over the operations of the mines for a while. Go on Lungu, surprise us. Kick them out.
@Klemlin…leave Jay Jay alone. Don’t bring your tyrannical views here. Jay Jay has a right to say whatever he wants without the likes of you trying to censor him. Mind your own business. You tyrant.
@ Ba Luchembe … no worries there. Don’t mind Gay Gay he’s a dimwit clown and don’t worry about protecting me.
I am a big boy and I can handle my own fights. I don’t need to validate and/or qualify myself either. I know exactly what kind of material I am made of.
@Kremlin … let the sleeping dogs lie.
Thanks anyway … epo mpelele,
BRM
Yes, JUNIOR calm your pets down and put them on a short leash…dont assume everyone will bend the knee for you as if you are some queen. We know you on LT…its a shame these ignorant new bloggers don’t know you and your nostalgic drivel…just sit down and shut up…little man!!
Jay Jay, just because some of us don’t yap daily like you do, doesn’t need to let you think we are newbies here. This forum was once called The Dispatch and I used to write articles on it more back then. Now it’s a place for insults and whoever insults the most or whoever shows more negativity gets the kudos. Check out Luchembe on the old Dispatch in the late 90’s. That’s me and that’s before you became a daily staple here.
KCM will soon be handed over to the Chinese… and the cycle shall continue. Only difference will be, when they retrench, it will be in silence. When they use us as slaves, none will know. We are a people enslaved by our own doing.
we are waiting for action mr president not mere rhetoric. these kcm infestors have taken us for granted for a long time. they claim to be making loses year in year out but contnue externalising funds. zwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
You wonder why this clown Edgar has ministers if the are incapable to perform their duties …its laughable that he is talking about being arm-twisted yet they whole President is going to see Manager of KCM.
Let us see and wait the out come.copperbelt are most dull people,as writing this them they are busy dancing.miners do want is good for you.the solution just bring back Anglo America to boost our economy.
This is just usual rhetoric for dull cadres to dance but when he meets them he will hand them developmental agreements and tax-breaks. You dont just bring back ABC as if you have a beautiful daughter and looking for a bachelor….you think investors come to you to help you develop they come to make a profit and you think they would happy with your uncertainty and tax policies?
The quarry dust from the mines fried their brains.
This president has a Minister of Mines, Finance, Commerce and Labour and he still goes to negotiate with a company? What are they doing if you’re busy doing their jobs, Mr President?
The is a serious case of investors knowing that the president doesn’t have any political clout over investors and probably his ministers.
The dull man is in over his shoulders instead of dealing with the main issue which is the economy in Lusaka he goes to CB to deal with one mine…really laughable…its like a whole General going across enemy territory to go and deal with a small rebel leader.
Listen to this disastrous lazy drunk speak, doesn’t even know what he is saying… tooth less president. Just go drink whiskey we all know that is what you followed on the CB and not work…. then Sunday he will go running Ati presidential work out…. useless drunk, worst president in the world. Jona Meno Meno
Mining is a capital intensive venture but as a government you should have processes and mechanisms in place to evaluate the actual production. As a government if you don’t have that then you don’t know what you doing and should leave things to people who can manage them. Stop crying foul, you are always up and down on work visits doing nothing now you want to claim you don’t know what is going on. You not talking like a president. You sound like a someone from a chibuku tarvern. You don’t inspire any confidence. Quite surprised you don’t have an economical team. You had a team of villagers that sued the mining companies in the UK, instead of helping them you where no were to be seen with your so called Attorney General. I am sick of your cheap talk I FELL LIKE VOMITING.
In Zambia or in Africa everything has to be about Job creation not output…they dont want a company to come with modern road machinery and build a residential road with 5 laborers they want 20 laborers using old inefficient machinery. The mines need to modernize but every time they try to do so you have these fooooools coming to politic …they have been talking about Agriculture to create jobs but have invested nothing tangible there but now you have whole President going to beg for 600 jobs or votes.
If you chase them I promise to vote for you 2021.
Empty threats from this sissy! You introduced Sales tax, lots of people warned you about the adverse effects of GST on production, you were busy ignoring with that perpetual drunk woman you call Minister of finance! Companies need to make profits, you were misusing VAT refunds and changed the law and here we are! Not that I expected anything sensible from you as a president, but even the lowest benchmark I set you’ve passed it.
PF only understand the hard way …too dull for sober reasoning unless its trivial issues like removing street vendors
Chagwa is a scandal! can you imagine this riff-raff given another 5 years? Double H isn’t that attractive but I would rather have him then this drunk as president!
Anil argawal the owner of KCM has about 35% in Anglo American so no need to bring Anglo.
Yapping from a position of weakness is a terrible predicament to find ones self
….all the mines know we are stone broke as a country.
Especially those Indians. At least the Chinese have a lot of investments to lose, now those Indians, Kaya
DIVORCE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
There is a long history of bad behaviour from these particular mines. P?ease take the opportunity to NATIONALISE for jobs and better control. There are still new mines for new investors.
Really laughable …you nationalize to attract new private entity who in the right minds apart from Chink State company who have you by the balls would come!!
You failure what are you going to do about it?? Just shut up and drink your whisky you are a curse on our land..
On another day I would have believed you Mr.President,but everyone knows your trip is just a reaction to HH’s recent tour and impact on the Copper-belt.Huffing and puffing at mine owners is just playing to the gallery..What confronts you is the reality of an economy slowly but surely imploding around you.
So no Zambian has seen the Chinese move here? Lungu is on the Copperbelt merely to push for a sale of the mines so his Chinese connection come through to buy. For how long have people been crying and only now he has heard their cries? Miners lost jobs from when and where was he? Fellow Zambians, just brace yourselves as we offload more assets to China lead by this very humble and able leader who is facilitating for Zambians to become beggars in their own country. We have a national crisis in Southern & Eastern province where people are not only crying but dying, yet this is a trip with all those experts or advisers he mentions priorities as critical for him to travel so to make sure the mines a sold and he profits from the Chines who are as we speak already stripping off ZAFICCO forests…
Just one question. Most of the bloggers here who insult ECL have done so despite him making this declaration. As I have said before insults are a product of failure to reason and argue issues intelligently. Why can’t we ask the president when he will take this action. Both him and HH have issued the same statement about these two mines in a space of two weeks. I for one was happy to here both the ruling President and the major opposition party president(government in waiting) issue a same statement over one issue. To me its clear that we supporters have turned these leaders into enemies when they should have been talking over national issues. I can imagine ECL telling HH that mwana its your turn to be in the driving seat but we continue pushing these genuine people who both wish for thr…
If you lose Copperbelt, forget about presidency. People in Copperbelt are tired of the hardship they are facing. It is either you act swiftly or a ballot will kick you out. These infesters have subjected the miners to diabolical conditions and their cry has been failing on deaf ears. It is high time you acted.Failure to which you will cry like RB. Leadership that does not listen to the masses ends up in abyss of oblivion. Forewarned is forearmed. Mr President don’t be cheated by ministers who throw dust in your eyes. Copperbelt is disillusioned with your leadership. You need to reposition yourself otherwise kuyabebele!!!
The GREATEST SHAME is that despite our long history with mining,we CANT dare run even a single mine to use as a benchmark when taxing private mines.The PF under Lungu CANT be entrusted with such a task as they can collapse a mine with months through corruption and cadre nepotism!EVEN THESE PROBLEMS ARE AS A RESULT OF DUBIOUS DEALING BY PF LEADERS WITH MINES,OTHERWISE KCM COULD HAVE BEEN
KICKED OUT LONGTIME AGO.Look at how he mishandled the $1.1bn FQM case,and yet wants to pretend to love ordinary suffering Zambians!!
Our President talking tough ha ha, you would think our Great leader is captain of a powerful economy with billions in the bank.
words without deeds, how long is he going to listen?
Menomeno don’t cheat us as if you can do something as corrupt as you are!!!!!…… Check your brain before you talk………………..
Any blogger that can’t see the frustration of the Zambian people is definitely a Zambian who has accepted his/her fate. Let us call a spade a spade and not try to cream it with icing when the inside is rotting and we can all smell it. All of a sudden these mining companies have become a problem but where was Lungu when the same mine released 150 miners with no word even from Amos Chanda, yes they are still unemployed with their fate unknown. How does one buy an expensive cushion for a stole ignoring the broken leg which first needs to be fixed? Bane, Enough is enough even our currency can tell us……
Why was the ZCCM-IH CEO fired when he wanted to make some mines some billions owed to us?
Someone sat on the issue and the Technocrat got sacrificed!
Is this tough talk meant to inspire the Kwacha or to buy time before PF cadres run out of patience?
No one has even followed up on that case everything has disappeared…you wonder whether PF took the money instead
“Early this year, on the 20th March 2018, the Zambia Revenue Authority disclosed that it had uncovered a tax evasion scam in which a mining company evaded paying taxes worth K76.5 billion or the equivalent of about $7.5 Billion.” how far has this case gone?
We are living in a Cadre world where from the Leader himself, no one understands the long term implications of their action. Cry for our young children for they are the ones to slave in the Zambia Lungu is building for them not even the youth but that 5 year old. We are the generation that has voted for Lungu and instantly signed our fate and tomorrow we shall be the shameful generation to tell our great grandchildren about Lungu, PF and how Zambians becomes slaves in their own country …
But when citizens tried to peacefully protest against KCM, you sent your cadre police force with tear gas to disperse them. Like somebody said, action speaks louder than words. Those brown envelopes from KMC will always guide how you act!
For once you have spoken like a president, now start acting like one too or else you will be vomited by the people of zambia come 2021 rather than being divorced.
Dull Hichilema thinks mines should not pay sales tax. And some Tongas think he can be president. Well done GBM for bringing out the truth about Hichilema, you are a hero!
Not really supporting the mines, but who makes the laws. Trouble you make laws on the run with short term goals in mind. Your recent NDF is a very good example. Think through your policies and laws before changing and implementing them. Don’t even try to touch or change even a single letter of the constitution. Your PF team is so pathetic. At least the mines have employed more Zambians on decent jobs for much longer than your looting partners Avic and other Chinese companies. Your Chinese companies and your caball of looters have bankrupted Zambia. You have failed to manage the mines because of poor policies, what makes you think if you get another investor things are going to change. Look inwards for what is wrong and where the problems are and resolve then. Playing to the gallery…
Its a pity that ECL doesn’t realize that such mindless threat of Nationalisation of the Mines will depreciate the Kwacha further, increase Inflation and Cost of Living for Zambians. The USD/Kwacha Exchange Rate is already 1:14. These ECL threats will drive the Kwacha North with dire consequences on the fragile Zambian Economy. ECL is playing with Fire and for sure Fire will burn him. Just wait and see!
Have tried to find out why Anglo and layer ZCCM failed to run the mines?? Most of the minerals in Zambia (C/belt) are very deep underground and they need recapitalisation and investment in new mining techniques and technology not relying on manual labour. Government used to get all the money from the mines under ZCCM and use it to subsidize other industries. The Kaunda economics without reinventing anything in production equipment. Today you can’t run a mine using a pick and shovel. Those days are long gone. Play to the gallery all you want and deceive people, you just need to face reality. No matter who sale to you are going to have the same problems. Take the mines over and see if your going to make any profits and pay your sales tax. Stop politising people’s lives.
TOUGH TALKING CHAKOLWA!!
This Jona excuse for a President, was the same Clown who sabotaged the Government, when these greedy Mines were ordered to pay huge compensation for fraudulently using Zambian Mines to bankroll foreign mines, causing the Government to lose lots & lots of Dollars in potential dividends.
Chakolwa was given a backhander, & his crooked fingers couldn’t resist as he’s used to crooked graft & swindling, -remember the Widow??
Now that Kopala C.B have woken up, & gave Jona a bloody nose in Roan, the Mambala is pretending to care for the Miners, & their plight.
#JONAAYENDE, #CHAKOLWAKUYABEBE !!
#CHAKOLWAKUYABEBELE!!
…it ain’t easy to detect how one must run their company and declare genuine profits for you to capitalize on….that can’t happen.. Coz even government themselves are not truthful when it comes to disclose how much they collect and spend from ZRA and various parastatal, and how much we owe in loans….but they want a business to disclose how??? This won’t happen and the mines are run by learned technocrats who can’t be any match to grade 12 failures who have no knowledge at all…..with the technocrats even by dealing with non trusted and corrupt nonentities its an opportunity for them to squeeze out profits…. That’s how the real business world works….
Economy is on its death bed and all he can think of are votes. Bwana there will be no votes for you with a dead economy, the same cadres who are cheering you at the airport will be the first to skin you alive when they can no longer afford their mealie meal and bread and even salt.
I have no confidence that the leadership is leading us anywhere. Cant see see why anyone should be led by party cadres and call it the will of the people!!
the problem with zambians they are good at finding foults (atibamutasha elyoa afwa) lets suport him on this one
period viva ECL
Fact of the matter is that, it’s a bit late to get (nationalise) the limping mines in the current state of our economy. The liabilities are just too much, even when we know that jobs can be preserves a little longer. Mining is not for experiments, it’s not sustainable. It takes over 10 years to bring a reasonable sized mine into operation. The Zambian mine leadership of the 1980 to 1990 mismanaged and we are paying for that. It wasn’t only the politicians of the time. Few if any financial institution can fund the mines like KCM today without a proper due diligence. Borrowing for recapitalising the mines is not a good move in the current economic condition of the country. It’s a chicken and egg situation.
I have considered a few options that the President and his Advisers should consider even as they discuss. This weekend may not be to find solutions, but gather more information and available data.
Options on the table:
1. Nationalise the limping mines. There are questions that need to be answered. Does the GRZ have the money to recapitalise these mines. Without recapitalising its zero work done. People will pretend that the mines are being run better for a short period of time. Are the new management going to be left to run professionally, without undue political influence, because these will be “new owners” on behalf of the people? What’s happening with the parastatals in the country? Are they performing?
2. Force the current owners to sale the assets to other investors. How many investors are out there who will just jump into KCM in its current state without Due Diligence? I am sure a reasonable investor will take months to evaluate if KCM is investable and its current value. Any short cut to that would bring a similar tuntemba investors to come carry out further investments. This is still just buying time
3. Leave the current owners to run the mine. Doing the same things over and over expecting different results is the best definition of insanity, they say. So we don’t expect KCM to change using the same model of operations and same management. This is an option if we as a nation have given up on mining in our country, which is our main stay in the economy.
4. There is a fourth option available which I would like to propose (dreaming!!!). Before I give details on this one, let me say this is my view and people may have different views. What I see as the main problem is the misunderstanding between the mine owners and the government (even through its representatives). There has been a relationship breakdown between the two. The immediate solution to this is introducing some parallel structures that are open to all. The owners and GRZ structures from board to management teams. The GRZ teams must be site based under the GRZ remuneration (not paid by companies.) These will seat in all meetings organised by the individual companies. This can be tried for a period say two years and see how it works. Any option will still be an experiment anyway,…
Zambia’s problem is that it’s economy is wholly dependent on one resource, MINING! Diversification has always been the main discussion but no action is taken. Now look at the relationship between the Kwacha and other currencies? I mean yes we need to tax investors but when we do it too much, they run away! If big fish such as Barrick Gold start leaving the country because of extremely high taxes, how can we expect to catch the small fish? Rethink your decision Mr. President, please do not only do this to show the people that you are working according to their needs. Please work according to the needs of our economy. Taxing everything anyhow is not the answer to development. No country has ever improved it’s economy by imposing high taxes.