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Handle KCM with caution-CTPD

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Handle KCM with caution-CTPD

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development has cautioned the Government over the suggested nationalisation of the Konkola Copper Mines or any other mines in general.

“While we understand the displeasure from the government over the continued push back by some mining firms on most policy pronouncements meant to maximise revenue collection from the country’s mines, we still feel a cautious approach must be taken to address the matter at hand,” CTPD Policy Lead-Extractives Mrs.Natalie Mwila Kaunda said.

Mrs Kaunda said this is because KCM employs over 13,000 workers and is a significant contributor to the nation’s exchange earnings.

“Any disruption in operations, would increase poverty and result in continued depreciation of the Kwacha, thereby further compromising macroeconomic stability,” he said.

Mrs. Kaunda said the government’s concern over the poor returns that the country has been getting from the mines is well recognized.

“As Civil Society, this has been our cry for a long time. We have been advocating for a mechanism that will enhance community beneficiation from our God-given resources. We have also advocated for government to increase its stake in the mines through ZCCM-IH since this would ensure that there is more state ownership of public resources and therefore more control over profits and tax revenue, especially at this time when Zambia is grappling with the raising debt.”

“However even as we endeavour to maximize on domestic revenue, we must not do it at the expense of efficiency. We must learn from our past experiences of running the mines which proved disastrous. The same mines that are now seemingly making profits, howbeit not every year, were loss making at the time they were being controlled by the government due to inefficiencies.”

She added, “As CTPD would like to believe that government’s intention is not to start running KCM but to transition it towards improved operational efficiency and profitability through securing another investor. Therefore, the “liquidation” process initiated should not result in the selling off of strategic assets of the mine in order to secure payments for creditors, shareholder, and commissions for the liquidator, as is the case in a “classic liquidation”.

Mrs. Kaunda said performing actual liquidation of KCM will result in closing down the company, laying off over 13,000 workers, tax revenue and forex losses among others.

“It will be extremely difficult to find another investor to take over the mine after asset disposal since the required investment would be very high. CTPD is of the view that KCM remains a going-concern and thus government should follow proper legal process and restraint to mitigate against these potential losses.”

“In the meantime, it is highly recommended for government to undertake a comprehensive audit in order to determine the true value of KCM’s assets and liabilities before proceeding with securing another investor. This will be useful in ensuring that the shares of the mine are valued correctly so that appropriate investment is made in taking over the mine. It is well known that KCM was previously sold for less than its market value, this should not repeat itself in this case.”

She added, “As the president is currently engaging with the different stakeholders in a process of consultation concerning the KCM issue, CTPD would like to advise government to also engage with Civil Society organisations working in the extractives sector. CSOs play a key role in bridging the gap between policy and community engagement.”

NAPSA eyes the Copperbelt for Investments

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NAPSA eyes the Copperbelt for Investments
NAPSA Director General Yollard Kachinda hands over a cheque to Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe

The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) says the Copperbelt Province has enormous economic potential in agriculture, forestry, tourism, fisheries and livestock that can be harnessed to attract investments.

Speaking when he handed over a K150,000 cheque to support the hosting of the forthcoming Copperbelt Investment Forum and Exposition slated for June 24 to 28 2019 to be hosted in Ndola at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Director General Yollard Kachinda said his organisation is interested in investing in the province because of its potential.

“NAPSA’s interest in the Province is twofold; job creation and economic development which in the long run will bring pride to the nation in line with its Vision and the financial sustainability of the fund as a result of increased membership,” he said.

Mr. Kachinda said further noting that the forum shall provide an excellent platform to network with different stakeholders in identifying prospective investments.

The company has confirmed its full participation in the Expo.

Receiving the cheque, Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe indicated that the support rendered by NAPSA is a huge milestone scored in the hosting of the Expo by the province.

The budget for the successful hosting of the Copperbelt Investment Expo is about 1 million dollars.

Romanian Aid To Upgrade Lusaka’s Compounds

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Romanian Aid To Upgrade Lusaka’s Compounds

Premium Audit Consulting awarded by Romania International Development Cooperation Agency (RoAid) with a development grant for a pre-feasibility study as a preliminary tool in the Smart City Program; a housing project and aid to the development and upgrade of compound areas in Lusaka. The Smart City Program is an initiative to establish the means for a sustainable development of Lusaka.

The General Director of RoAid, Mr Catalin Harnagea accompanied by a delegation from the Embassy of Romania to the Republic of South Africa arrived on Tuesday for a three day visit in Zambia to meet with Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lusaka City Council to initiate dialogue on the Smart City Program. “Our mission is to contribute towards the global efforts of sustainably alleviating extreme poverty and supporting stronger democratic institutions in developing countries, by sharing our own experiences”, stated Mr Harnagea. The Pre-Feasibility study is the first step in the process to developing a strategic plan for the urbanization and eradication of slums in Lusaka.

In a meeting with the delegation, Minister of Local Government, Hon. Vincent Mwale highlighted that the population of Lusaka is on the increase and in dire need of housing. “A large percentage of residents are living in very poor conditions with insufficient supply of clean water and poor waste management causing a threat to public health”, stated Hon. Vincent Mwale. Discussions with stakeholders and ministries will continue to establish policies, methods and strategies of the Smart City Program.

2017 Auditor General’s Report overtaken by events- ZRL

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2017 Auditor General’s Report overtaken by events- ZRL
A Zambia Railways worker pushes the mini-train train after it
developed a fault at the on-going Zambia Agriculture and Commercial
Showground

The Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) says the 2017 Auditor General’s report highlighting its troubled financial status has been over-taken by events.

Zambia Railways Board Chairperson Lubinda Linyama explains that the loose positions highlighted in the latest Auditor General’s report were as a result of two parallel pay rolls that the company was managing consisting of retirees and active employs.

He added that the company has since managed to pay off all retirees, hence, extinguishing the second pay roll which he said was a strain on the company’s financial status.

Mr Linyama said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Zambia’s High Commission in South Africa, Naomi Nyawali.He stated that Zambia Railways Limited has put in place a number of interventions aimed at dismantling historical liabilities with statutory entities that were affecting the company’s balance sheet.

Mr Linyama mentioned that the company has entered into a time- to- pay agreement with the National Pensions Authority (NAPSA) and Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) among others, with a view of demolishing the historical liabilities which will help clean up the company’s balance sheet.He noted that contrary to the impression that has been created that the company’s locomotive strength was gloomy, his company has made a lot of strides such as the introduction of new locomotives secured from its partners to help turn the fortunes of the company.

The Zambia Railways Board Chairperson added that the railway company has embarked on re-manufacturing of locomotives within its workshops, which has enhanced the company’s capacity to move cargo.He said the company has also revised its strategic plans to run from 2018-2025 in a bid to improve its performance.And Mr Linyama has expressed confidence that Zambia Railways was on the right track to recovery, owing to the number of measures that have been put in place to over-turn its fortunes.

He was speaking in Johannesburg in South Africa, after addressing delegates at the South African Railway Association (SARA) Rail Conference and Exhibition held at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

Response to Hon. Gary Nkombo’s Challenge -Sakwiba Sikota

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Response to Hon. Gary Nkombo’s Challenge -Sakwiba Sikota
Gary Nkombo in Mazabuka
Gary Nkombo in Mazabuka
GARY’S BOXER SHORTS IN A PAINFUL TERRIBLE TWIST
GARY NKOMBO, the UPND Mazabuka central Member of Parliament, came at me like a raging boxer over the UPND Members of Parliament who stayed away from the National Dialogue Forum but on the side were seeking to have their thoughts on the various Bills being discussed taken into account.
Gary, who is a very good personal friend of mine, was demanding that I name the UPND MPs who during the National Dialogue Forum (which he referred to as ‘the National Drunkards Forum’) sessions wanted to sneak in their contributions. One of these MPs said he supported the NDF because of the writings of a very inspiring author and philosopher called Pratik Paudul which he introduced me. Pratik Paudul wrote, “A lot of problems in the world would disappear if we talked to each other instead of talking about each other.”
I came to learn about Gary’s reaction to the statements I made on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview when one of the UPND MPs who had contacted me during the NDF contacted me. The UPND MP, (whom I shall refer to as “Deep Throat” like the Watergate whistleblower) seemed greatly agitated and in a state of extreme stress. “Deep Throat” demanded that we meet in secret. I have never seen “Deep Throat” look so troubled and frightened.
“Deep Throat”, after reading Gary’s demand that I disclose the names of the UPND MPs, was afraid that I was going to snitch on them and rat them out. With a thoroughly furrowed forehead and face distorted by being drawn out by tension, “Deep Throat” begged me not to disclose his name. He stated that his party was so extremely annoyed and disturbed by the fact that so many UPND MPs had attended the NDF, that they had sworn never to adopt them as candidates for the 2021 elections.
“Deep Throat” stated that the party has gone so far as stating that even if these MPs came back and apologized, they would not be adopted. For this reason people in the constituencies where these MPs came from had been given the go ahead to start campaigning against these MPs. “Deep Throat” stated that being from Southern Province it would be difficult for him to stand as an independent and win if he did not stand on UPND ticket. “Deep Throat” said if it was not for this he would have come out in the open. Incidentally, the other UPND MPs who approached me from behind the scenes are also from Southern Province and I assume they too have not come out in the open for the same reasons as “Deep Throat”.
I assured “Deep Throat” that even if Gary and his party members subjected me to water boarding, I would not divulge their names and I would publicly communicate that I respected that they had approached me in confidence and my integrity would not allow me to breach that confidence.
I have not given this UPND MP the name “Deep Throat” to mock him in the manner President Donal Trump mocks people because like the author and philosopher Pratik Paudul whose writings I was introduced to says, “You never look good trying to make someone else look bad.”. However, whenever Donald Trump fails to come up with a meaningful argument against someone or something he resorts to kinder-garden name calling like, “Little Rocketman ” , “Lyin’ Ted” or “Crooked Hillary”. Name calling of the National Dialogue Forum as “National Drunkards Forum” is going even lower than Donald Trump!
It is unfortunate that Gary decided to name call and label the people who attended the NDF as drunkards. In attendance were national youth organizations, national women’s organizations (like Women for Change, YWCA and NGOCC), reverends, pastors, freedom fighters, Church Mother Bodies (such as Independent Churches Association of Zambia and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia) and even their Royal Highnesses.
How will Gary and his party appeal to the womenfolk and youths in our nation after having labeled them as drunkards?
As we approach Africa Freedom Day on Saturday 25th May this weekend, is Gary and his party going to have any kind things to say about the heroes who brought us independence when it is clear that they have labeled the freedom fighters as drunkards?
Will Gary and the rest of his party members this weekend go for prayer in these churches presided over by drunkards?
In the American history we learn that some Native American Chiefs were given bottles of distilled liquor by European raiders like Bernardo de Galvez, viceroy of New Spain, who instituted a policy of pacification of the Native Americans.
The next time Gary and his party pay a courtesy call on any of our Royal Highnesses, will they in an attempt to pacify their Royal Highnesses and their people, leave as their token gift a crate of liquor since Gary has labeled them as drunkards?
My friendly advice to my good pal Gary is that he should quickly retract the “drunkard” slur and apologise to the people who attended the National Dialogue Forum for it is clear that this careless statement has put Gary’s boxer shorts in a painful terrible twist.
…………………………………………………………………
P.S. Just in case Gary’s motivation to demand release of the lists of names is his fear that his bosses are suspecting him to be one of the MPs who secretly approached me (more especially seeing that on the first day of NDF participants registration he was seen in the registration room) this posting serves to confirm that Honourable Gary Nkombo is not one of the UPND MPs who secretly support the NDF and its resolutions.

 

Sakwiba Sikota S.C
Advocate

Huawei smartphone owners ask: will my phone work without Google?

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Huawei smartphone owners ask: will my phone work without Google?

Millions of Huawei smartphone owners around the world are suddenly interested in the trade war between China and the US.

A recent ban by U.S. President Donald Trump means many US companies can’t work with the Chinese technology giant. On Monday, there was a 90-day reprieve.

But after that, Huawei phones won’t get the same access to Google software updates as most other major handsets that use the US company’s Android operating system.

Huawei phones aren’t that popular in the US, but they are widely used almost everywhere else. For millions, the devices are cheap-but-quality alternatives to the $1,000 phones America’s hardware champion Apple Inc. peddles. Inside China, Huawei devices won’t be affected. But nearly half of these handsets are sold outside that country, according to Counterpoint Research.

“I’m very worried. I’m the owner of a P30 Pro which I bought a month ago,” Ania K from Poland wrote on Twitter. “I don’t know if I will have any updates any more. Many people are very worried about that too.”

A Google spokesman said the company will continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing Huawei models for the next 90 days.

“While we are complying with all US gov’t requirements, services like Google Play & security from Google Play Protect will keep functioning on your existing Huawei device,” Google’s Android unit wrote on Twitter.

All Huawei phones developed and certified by Google before May 16 will still get access to Google’s Play app store and other pre-loaded apps and services from the internet giant. Updates from Google will continue because these are transactions between Google and end users, not Google and Huawei.

However, Google won’t be allowed to work with Huawei on software bugs and other technical fixes for Google’s version of Android going forward. Instead, the Chinese company will have to do this on its own, using the open-source version of Android.

For new Huawei phones beyond May 16, there will be no Google support because that would require a new transaction between Google and the Chinese company.

Huawei Technologies Co.’s marketing team was enacting a full-court press on social media on Tuesday, assuring customers their phones would continue to be safe and usable.

“Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products covering those which have been sold or still in stock globally,” the company wrote on Twitter to fans in Nigeria.

Some Huawei customers asked on social media if they could return their handsets. Others said they would stick with the company and encouraged it to keep fighting what they saw as an attack on a foreign company by President Trump.

“You can do it, Huawei. You didn’t come all the way to the top to get beaten for nothing,” Boon Leo, a Huawei user from Malaysia wrote on the company’s Facebook page.

Huawei is working on its own mobile operation system and will consider rivals to Google’s Android.

“Not letting go of your phones so you better come up with your own softwares and OS…. Asap,” wrote another user from Kenya on Twitter.

Bloomberg

Zambia to benefit from the $33 million joint funding for fight against cervical cancer

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Zambia to benefit from the $33 million joint funding for fight against cervical cancer
Ministry of Health Head Media Relations Stanslous Ngosa
Ministry of Health Head Media Relations Stanslous Ngosa

Zambia is one of the six countries to benefit from the 33 million US dollars joint funding from Unitaid and Clinton Health Access Initiative project fight against cervical cancer.

Unitaid and Clinton Health Access Initiative have since signed an innovative grant that will bring artificial intelligence and affordable treatment and screening to the fight against cervical cancer that kills one woman every two minutes and disproportionately affects low-resource countries and women living with HIV.

The 30 months long project slated to start in July this year, will be implemented in India, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia.

With the aim of achieving 1 US dollar screen-and-treat solutions, the project will deploy improved screening tools, introduce new portable devices for treatment and advance easy-to-use artificial intelligence-based tools for screening of precancerous lesions, according to Stanslous Ngosa.

The Ministry of Health Head Media Relations said precancerous lesions can progress to life-threatening cervical cancer if left untreated.

He said the Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and it affects over half a million women each year and kills more than a quarter of a million.

Mr. Ngosa said virtually all cervical cancers are caused by infection with human papillomavirus, a very common sexually-transmitted infection.

He said in high-income countries, several strategies have proved successful in decreasing the cervical cancer burden, including early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions while in remote settings, progress has been held back by high costs, ineffective screening methods and ill-adapted treatment devices.

KCM Takeover Biggest Test of President Lungu’s Leadership

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KCM Takeover Biggest Test of President Lungu’s Leadership

KCM

Movement for Multiparty Democracy MMD youths have said that Government takeover of Konkola Copper Mines KCM should be done with the soberness it deserves as it affects thousands of lives in the mining town.

Commenting on the KCM/Government debacle MMD National Youth Chairperson Dauzeni Tembo said the situation at KCM is delicate and requires deep reflection as the livelihood of not only the town but many lives in the province is at stake.

He cautioned the delegation tasked to handle the matter not to conduct themselves dishonorably but instead exhibit high levels of integrity as any mess will have the face of the Republican President.

He said the President should ensure that the best interest of the country takes centre stage if the situation is to be redeemed.

“As MMD youths, we believe the takeover of KCM was long overdue owing to the public outcry over the years due to the numerous bad business practices by Vedanta Resources.

“We strongly believe this is a very critical issue that requires Zambians to come together to redeem the situation to save lives that are at stake. We need to be as sober as possible because this affects thousands of lives. Its a community’s livelihood at stake. As youths in the party we want to encourage President Lungu to remain resolute in protecting Zambia’s best interests in this quagmire,” he said.

He said as opposed to finger pointing stakeholders should show unity of purpose by supporting the decision by Government which was made to protect the interest of the country.

He further urged government to remain open to advise regardless of where it is coming from.

“Stakeholders should deeply reflect on what is supposed to happen. To the politicians, this is not an issue we should isolate to gain cheap political mileage. We must be Zambians above all.

“This should not be about President Lungu but this matter affects all of us, the copper being exploited belongs to all of us and the thousands of jobs at risk are our fellow Zambians with families to fend for who should not be thrown to the streets,” he said.

He said the KCM takeover is the biggest test of President Lungu’s leadership and urged him and the PF to tread carefully and ensure that they are sensitive to the plight of the affected people in the mining town and the surrounding communities.

“The ‘KCM takeover’ is by far the biggest test of President Lungu’s leadership let alone the Patriotic Front as a political party. Therefore,
we want to caution our colleagues PF who are in government to tread carefully and be sensitive enough to the plight of ultimately the miners whose livelihood is now in danger.

“Those tasked by the President to look at this issue must help President Lungu and act with honor and integrity in the interest of Zambia. No one should take advantage of the situation to begin to make deals. We all ought to understand that ultimately there is no winner nor loser, there is no middle ground because stakes are high,” he said.

Liquidation is scheme to loot KCM assets-Fred M’membe

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Liquidation is scheme to loot KCM assets-Fred M’membe
Socialist Party President Fred M'membe speaking to journalists after the dialogue meeting.
Socialist Party President Fred M’membe speaking to journalists after the dialogue meeting.

Socialist Party 2021 Presidential Candidate Fred M’membe has charged that the liquidation of Konkola Copper Mines will create further problems for the mining giant.

Dr M’membe whose company, the Post Newspapers Ltd was placed under liquidation by the PF Government said the route taken to liquidate KCM will give a chance to what he called a clueless clique to loot the mine assets.

In a statement, Dr M’membe charged that liquidating KCM will just compound the problems, especially for the workers.

Below is the full statement

KCM Liquidation a scheme by a clueless clique in the leadership of this country to loot the mines assets – Dr Fred M’membe

How will the placement of Konkola Copper Mines under provisional liquidation help to solve the problems of this troubled mining corporation?

This is nothing but a scheme by a clueless clique in the leadership of this country to loot the assets of Konkola Copper Mines which will leave the workers of this company with nothing and in destitution.

This is the easiest thing to do and it doesn’t require much thought or reasoning. But this is not a solution to the problems facing Konkola Copper Mines. If anything, it will just compound the problems, especially for the workers.

It requires a little intelligence – if a little is all one has – to realise that placing Konkola Copper Mines under provisional liquidation will lead to series of problems, including new ones.

We have seen before how this regime and its agents uses provisional liquidation to loot. A more rational and honest approach could have been taken to address the problems of Konkola Copper Mines.

And moreover, most of the assets of Konkola Copper Mines are leased and owners will soon come forward to claim them!

Issued by Fred M’membe on behalf of the Politburo of the Socialist Party
May 21, 2019
Garden Compound, Lusaka

Vedanta fights back against KCM liquidation

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Vedanta fights back against KCM liquidation
Vedanta Resources PLC Chief Executive Officer MS Mehta
Vedanta Resources PLC Chief Executive Officer MS Mehta

Vedanta Resources Holdings Limited wants to be joined in the matter in which ZCCM-IH Plc is seeking an order to have KCM wound up.

Vedanta says if it is not joined to the proceedings by the court, it stands to suffer great prejudice as it has over 79 percent shares in the mining company.

On Tuesday, High Court Judge Anessie Banda-Bobo granted ZCCM-IH an order to appoint lawyer Milingo Lungu as provisional liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines, who has since taken over operations.

ZCCM-IH says the mining company is engaged in massive tax evasions through transfer, mispricing and other unscrupulous means, adding that it is insolvent and has failed to pay outstanding invoices to suppliers and contractors as and when they fall due.

According to an ex-parte summons for an order for joinder of a party to the proceedings filed in the Lusaka High Court, Vedanta wants to be joined as second respondent.

Veteran sports administrator Mwamba Kalenga has died

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Veteran sports administrator Mwamba Kalenga has died

Veteran sports administrator Mr. Mwamba Kalenga has died.

According to his son Mwamba Kalenga Jr., Mr. Kalenga collapsed Wednesday evening before he was pronounced dead at Chingwerere clinic in Lusaka.

He is former National Sports Council of Zambia chairman.

Mr. Kalenga will also be best remembered for his passion and contribution to amateur boxing under the MK Stables in Matero.

He was also a regular fixture in his traditional Zambian flag tailored suits at both KK 11 and Chipolopolo matches at Independence stadium in Lusaka.

He was warmly referred to as the Don King of Zambia since he had a marked resemblance to American boxing promoter Don King.

Egyptian President President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Expected in Zambia for a two day state visit

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Egyptian President President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Expected in Zambia for a two day state visit
FILE: President Lungu in Egypt and welcomed by his host President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi when he arrived at the Presidency Headquarters before he Inspected a guard of Honour mounted in his honour by the Egyptian army.
FILE: President Lungu in Egypt and welcomed by his host President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi when he arrived at the Presidency Headquarters before he Inspected a guard of Honour mounted in his honour by the Egyptian army.

Egyptian President Abdal Fattah-El SiSi, is today May 23rd, 2019 expected in Zambia on a two-day State Visit.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji said President El-Sisi’s visit follows an invitation from President Edgar Lungu.

He said Zambia has enjoyed excellent relations and cooperation with Egypt with support accorded to Zambia on a bilateral level in the fields of health, infrastructure, agriculture, Tourism and Livestock and Fisheries.

“Going back in the 60s President Kenneth Kaunda tied a note with then President Gamal Abdel Nasser, so we have had our bilateral relationship going back. We have had quite a cordial relationship with Egypt which has played a big role in trying to implement some of our key areas such as; Health, Agriculture, Tourism and Livestock and Fisheries”, Mr. Malanji said.

The Minister further stated that Zambia also has a good technical understanding with Egypt on defence and Security.

“President Edgar Lungu and President El Sisi will look at all these areas to see how best they can cement our bilateral relationship”, he added.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said the two heads of state will discuss ways of cementing these areas of cooperation during President El-Sisi’s visit to Zambia.

Mr. Malanji has noted that Egypt has taken a neutral stance regarding conflicts in the Middle East and that the two Heads of state will exchange views on how to collaborate on maintaining peace in their respective regions.

“Egypt as the Chair of the African Union has taken a huge role in maintaining peace and security in the Middle East, and Zambia being the chair of the organ for peace and security for SADC the two Heads of State will exchange views and collaborate at continental level”, Mr. Malanji added.

He said The African Union Chair (Egypt) is making consensual efforts in implementing he African Union (AU) agenda 2063.

Chipolopolo to play Cameroon and Morocco

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Chipolopolo has secured two high profile friendly matches for this June.

Zambia will play both dates away against Morocco and defending AFCON champions Cameroon in the two side’s pre-tournament preparations.

FAZ general secretary Adrian Kashala said the friendly’s will be played during a week-long camp at the invitation of Morocco.

“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation will host the Chipolopolo boys from June 6 – 17 and stage an international friendly match on June 16 against the Herve Renard drilled side,” Kashala said.

“During the same camp, Zambia will face Cameroon on June 9, 2019 in Madrid with another international friendly match against Gambia on the cards set for June 12, 2019.”

The development will see Zambia’s A side assembled for the trip while the home-based team will be away in South Africa to participate in the COSAFA Cup Durban is hosting from May 25 to June 8.

However,FAZ has yet to disclose who will be in charge of the friendly trip with interim coach Aggrey Chiyangi already overseeing COSAFA Cup camp over the last fortnight.

Nkana lose last home game of the 2019 season

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Nkana’s last home game of the 2019 league season ended in disaster on Wednesday after they lost 2-1 against Forest Rangers at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

It was Nkana’s fourth home loss of the season where they have won three times and collected two draws.

Nkana started off brightly when their talismanic striker Ronald Kampamba put them ahead in the 17th minute after heading in a Kelvin Kampamba cross.

But Forest reproduced the second half form displayed in last Saturday’s 2-2 away draw at Power Dynamos and Nkana cracked.

Forest deservedly equalized in the 22nd minute after shrugging off going a goal down with a dominating display when Webster Muzaza punished defender Moses Nyondo for failing to deal with a loose ball on the edge of the box.

But Nkana did have their moments after halftime with the first coming in the 61st minute through Bwalya Kasonde but his fine volley came off the right angle of the Forest’s post.

Three minutes later, Laison Thole sent his close-range effort into the side netting.

However, Forest still looked the most likely to carry the day and in the 66th minute, Muzaza completed his brace, again for a poorly dealt with ball in Nkana’s defence by Yannick Mulenda who was punished for his casual possession inside the box.

Meanwhile, Forest stay fourth but move to 26 points while Nkana wallow at number six on 23 points heading into their final away game against relegation threatened Circuit City as the12-time champions wind down a forgettable season.

Vedanta defends its record in Zambia, insists on meeting President Lungu over KCM

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Vedanta defends its record in Zambia, insists on meeting President Lungu over KCM
Vedanta Resources PLC Chairman Mr Ail Agarwal meets Indian President and President Lungu at Business Forum in Lusaka08I0109
FILE: Vedanta Resources PLC Chairman Mr Ail Agarwal meets Indian President and President Lungu at Business Forum in Lusaka

Vedanta Resources, the parent company for Konkola Copper Mines says it has been a loyal investor in KCM and in Zambia having invested over US$3 billion since the acquisition of the asset in 2004.

In its latest statement released by its Communications Office in London, Vedanta says its aware of media reports that Zambian state owned company, ZCCM-IH, has obtained an ex-parte order against KCM.

ZCCM-IH owns 20.6% of KCM and has its nominees on the company’s board.

It reiterated its request for an immediate and urgent meeting with President Edgar Lungu to discuss the matter.

“Vedanta is a long-standing, loyal investor in KCM and in Zambia having invested over US$3 billion since the acquisition of the asset in 2004. The company employs nearly 13,000 people at its sites and operates clinics, hospitals and schools through its corporate social responsibility programme that amounts to over US$210 million since the acquisition,” it said.

It stated that KCM has contributed US$1.3 billion to the Zambian Exchequer in that period and continues to be the leading Pay As You Earn contributor in the country.

“For the year ended 31 March 2019, Vedanta provided KCM with financial support (including funding of loan repayments) of US$419 million. These significant financial and social investments combined with exponential rises in taxes, duties, fuel and power costs have placed an enormous and unaffordable burden on the company,” it said.

It said the most recent restrictions and duty on concentrates have negatively impacted the running of the smelter and the much-needed acid to run its operations.

“In addition, the Zambian government owes the company more than US$180 million in VAT refunds which has made the situation even more challenging.”

The company said it is seeking to meet with the Government as a matter of urgency to discuss the future of KCM and the impact that the current onerous situation is having on the company, the people of the Copperbelt and the Zambian people as a whole.

“Since 2004, KCM has invested more than $3 billion to upgrade and expand company assets. Today it is of the largest private sector employers in the country and maintains one of the most comprehensive corporate social investment programmes.”

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