The UPND has welcomed the changes to the Mineral Royalty Tax, in the 2019 national budget. UPND Spokesperson, Charles Kakoma said that the changes have come at a time when Zambians are feeling they were not benefiting from the mineral resources. Mr Kakoma has described the changes as fair. He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News after the budget presentation.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe proposed to lift the suspension of the export duty on manganese ores and concentrates which was put in place in 2012 and increase duty by 15 percent from 10 percent in the 2019 national budget.

Mrs. Mwanakatwe who presented the 8th National Budget to parliament since the PF administration came into power, further proposed to introduce an export duty on precious metals including gold, precious stones and gemstones at the rate of 15 percent.

She informed the house that import duty at the rate of 5 percent on copper and cobalt concentrates will be introduced in the 2019 budget.

The Finance Minister stated that mineral royalty tax will be made non-deductible for income purpose.

Mrs Mwanakatwe also said that government will continue to promote exploitation of industrial minerals and gemstones by making available geological information.

Mrs Mwanakatwe told Parliament that the Development Mineral Capacity Building Programme that seeks to promote small-scale mining will continue in 2019.

She stated that government wants to see mining companies engaging in environmentally and socially responsive mining.

The Finance Minister informed the house that government has made progress in the implementation of the Mineral Production Monitoring Support Project aimed at enhancing monitoring of mineral production and exports.

Mrs Mwanakatwe disclosed that currently all the large scale mining companies are on the system.

She informed the house that the system will be extended to small and medium mining companies as well as other minerals beyond copper.

Mrs Mwanakatwe said the system will empower government to collect accurate revenue from mineral royalties and other mining taxes.

Meanwhile, The Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) said that the 2019 budget gives a lot of hope. BAZ Chairperson Kola Adeleke says the budget has addressed issues to do with revenue collection.

Mr Adeleke said that Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe has broadened revenue collection and that the budget has given a lot of confidence to both foreign and local investors.

And, French Ambassador to Zambia Sylvain Berger said that the 2019 budget austerity measures are necessary given the country’s macro-economic conditions.

Mr Berger said that the measures are likely to benefit both the corporate and social sectors. He said his government will keenly follow the implementation of the announced policies.

And COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe has described the budget as bold. Ms Kapwepwe pointed out the changes in the mining tax regime which are likely to boost revenue collection.

Economic Association of Zambia president Lubinda Haabazoka said that the budget contains a lot of positive steps like the sales tax.

Dr Haabazoka said that the budget reflects the country’s current macro-economic conditions.

However, UPND former Chief Whip and Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo described the budget as cosmetic as the previous budgets that have been presented in the past years.

Mr. Nkombo told journalists at parliament buildings that the budget was sugar coated to make citizens feel as though things will get better, when the worst is yet to come.

He has predicted that come March next year, the cost of living will be unbearable as commodities will go high and citizens will be taxed more.

Mr Nkombo stated that money has been put in non priority areas such as public order which he says is not necessary because the country is not in any war situation.

He has further pointed out that the allocation of 6.1 billion Kwacha towards road infrastructure and for continuation of the Link Zambia 8000 project puts the government at loggerheads as it is against what the government has been preaching on prioritizing projects that are 80% complete.

Mr Nkombo has since urged Zambians to brace themselves for harder times in 2019 as they will have to tighten their belts.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lillian Shawa, has revealed that the Constitutional Court used it discretion not to prosecute UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for contempt and that her hands are tied because the decision to charge Mr. Hichilema is the discretion of the Constitutional Court that was scandalised by Mr. Hichilema.

In a response to Henry Chilombo of Lufywanyama who has called for Mr. Hichilema to be prosecuted for criminal contempt of scandalising the Court when he called 3 Constitutional Court Judges corrupt, Lillian Shawa has stated that “the Constitutional Court at its discretion has not taken the matter, which her office will respect and adopt.

Earlier last month, UPND leader Charles Kakoma had stated that the Constitutional Court decided not to charge the UPND leader with contempt because they did not deem it as an offence for Mr. Hichilema to call Judges and the court as corrupt and three musketeers who are agents of evil.

The Director of Public Prosecutions also took note of the remarks by the then Acting Chief Justice Marvin Mwanamwamba who said the Constitutional Court for “unexplained reasons” has not cited Mr. Hichilema to prove his allegations against the court.

Various legal scholars, civil society and politicians have been divided on the failure by the Constitutional Court to cite Mr. Hichilema for contempt. In 2016, the Constitutional Court called for disciplinary action against UPND lawyer Martha Mushipe who has since been stripped of her practicing certificate and has her law firm closed.

The Policy Monitoring and Research Center (PMRC) says the proposed 2019 National budget by Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe has addressed key issues.

PMRC Executive Director Bernadette Deka said most of its budgetary expectations have been addressed in the proposed national budget.

She was speaking to Journalists shortly after Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe presented the 2019 national budget in Parliament today.

Ms Deka said the increase in the funding allocation to the social protection sector is a true reflection of the Patriotic Front Party (PF) manifesto which places an emphases on uplifting the living standards of people.

Ms.Deka cited the increased allocation to the social protection programmes and the agriculture sector among the sectors that have been given the much needed attention.

“As a think tank we are happy that our expectations have been met by today’s budget address. We are happy with the increase in allocation in the social protection and agriculture sectors. This really stands to show that this is a pro-poor government that has remained true to its words,” she said

Ms Deka further said the proposed allocation to the social protection sector will be a face lift to various programmes being undertaken.

Government has this year allocated K699.5 million to the social protection programmes from last year’s K550 million plus a grant of K110.9 million to all social protection programmes.

The Agriculture sector has been allocated K5.4 billion which also caters for the Livestock and fisheries.

Earlier, Minister of Finance, Margaret Mwanakatwe presented K86.8 billion for 2019 national budget which translates into 28.9 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Ms Mwanakatwe says the budget has been formulated against the backdrop of the austerity measures being implemented by government to deliver fiscal consolidation.

She stated that the budget provides a firm foundation for the country to return moderate debt levels, entrench overall macroeconomic stability and promote sustained and inclusive growth.

She added that the budget proposes a bold and substantial changes in revenue mobilisation and spending strategies in support of the country’s goal for fiscal consolidation.

Ms. Mwanakatwe stressed that the proposed measures will ensure that domestic revenue as a proportion of GDP increases to 18.7 percent from 17.7 percent in 2018.

She pointed out that on the expenditure side, government will rationalise current expenditures within the context of the announced austerity measures.

Meanwhile, Ms. Mwanakatwe has noted that the 2019 budget aims at achieving a fiscal deficit of not more than 6.5 percent of GDP from the projected 7.4 percent in 2018.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has set November 20, 2018 on which the Mangango Parliamentary and Lupososhi District council Chairperson by elections will be held.

ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse says the Mangango Parliamentary by election has been caused by the death of area Member of Parliament Naluwa Mweene.

Ms. Chimanse told ZNBC News in a statement that the Lupososhi District council by election is because of the creation of a new District in the area.

She also announced that ward by -elections will be held in Chisanga in Central province, Nkhanka and Luside in Eastern Province and Tumvanganai in North-western Province.

Ms Chimanse said the commission has since set October 16th as the date for filing in of nominations for all those who want to contest the elections.