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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commissioned a weighbridge at its Nchanga mine in Chingola in the ongoing measures to utilize the inter-mine railway link and increase the haulage of copper and other products through the railway systems. The weighbridge, which cost $95,000 to construct, is the first to be commissioned in almost 20 years.
KCM Chief Financial Officer Giridhar Venkatesan said during the launch of the facility that it would play a major role in the facilitation of KCM’s import and export materials such as copper concentrates, lime, Sulphur, Coke, copper cathodes, copper anodes, copper starter sheets.
Mr Venkatesan said KCM would be able to comply with the Statutory Instrument No. 7 of 2018, which requires producers and transporters of bulk cargo to move 30% of the cargo by rail, a move aimed at aiding the revamping of the railways sector, which would in turn ensure massive benefit to the entire economy.
“Projects such as this have to be conceived, planned well and implemented well for the greater good of the organisation and the country,” he said.
KCM Chief Marketing Officer Rakesh Mishra said the railway line would drive efficiency and reduce congestion on the roads, and that KCM planned to start moving all its copper concentrates from Konkola mine in Chililabombwe for processing in Chingola by rail.
KCM currently moves about 30 to 35% cargo by rail, and seeks transport more by rail as a cost-effective way of doing business.
Zambia Railways Limited Acting Regional Manager for the Intermine link, Emmanuel Mwango, said the commissioning of the facility was an indication of KCM’s commitment in promoting efficiency in its operations. “The weighbridge is critical in the operations of ZRL as well as KCM in as far as cost effectiveness and efficiency is concerned.”
Mr Mwango said the effort by KCM consolidates the good business relationship that exists between ZRL and KCM adding that the facility has come at a time when there are changes to legislation regarding heavy and bulk cargo movements.
ZRL is currently moving Copper Concentrates, Copper anodes as well as Copper starting sheets for KCM. ZRL remains committed in providing improved rail services to KCM as enshrined in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
“On a monthly basis, we are moving an average of about 10,000 metric tonnes of cargo for KCM,” Mr Mwango said.
The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) has called for the urgent appointment of the Auditor General.
Addressing a Fourth Quarter Media briefing on various national matters, ZICA President Jason Kazilimani says as a professional accountancy body, ZICA is concerned that the office of the auditor general remains unoccupied when it is a very important governance institution which should not be left unoccupied for such a long time.
Mr. Kazilimani said that ZICA was aware that the public audit act has not been operationalised and therefore a substantive auditor general has not yet been appointed, but stated that a precedent for a similar situation was set when the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly fell vacant, the clerk was appointed, while the parliamentary service commission had not yet been operationalized
Mr Kazilimani said that the same can also be done in the case of the auditor general, adding that it’s also ZICA’S considered view that the qualifications of the incumbent Auditor General should be as appropriately stipulated in the public order act of 2016.
On the re-introduction of the sales tax to replace the value added tax, Mr. Kazilimani said that there is need to take stock of how the system will be implemented with minimal interruption to business, noting that currently, there is lack of information about how it will be implemented a situation that is causing anxiety among investors.
And Mr. Kazilimani has noted the need for equivalent increase in productive assets of the economy to assist in repayment of interest obligation.
Mr. Kazilimani said that ZICA welcomes the minister of finance’s announcement that government is in the process of instituting public investment management reforms to establish a comprehensive system for appraisal of projects.
Meanwhile ZICA has welcomed the dismissal of about 12 accountants involved in misappropriation of public funds by the civil service commission.
Mr Kazilimani however noted the need for more to be done with regards recovering the stolen funds as provided for in the public finance management act of 2018.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and Zambia Breweries (ZB) have signed a 150,000 United States Dollars Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving water supply to George compound in Lusaka.
LWSC Managing Director Jonathan Kampata says it is the desire of the company to ensure 24 hour water supply to all parts of Lusaka including George compound.
Mr.Kampata adds that the company has also enhanced the water quality surveillance across the city to ensure that the commodity is safe for drinking.
ZANIS reports that Mr Kampata was speaking at a media briefing held at LWSC headquarters in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr. Kampata further said the company has also installed three generators to guarantee constant supply of water even when there is no power in the area.
He has since called upon other corporate firms to emulate the good work that ZB is doing in improving the welfare of the communities.
And Zambia Breweries Country Director, Jose Moran, has expressed happiness that his company and the LWSC have partnered to improve water reticulation in George compound.
Chipili Independent Member of Parliament Jewis Chabi has pleaded not guilty to one count of malicious damage in the Mansa magistrate court.
Mr. Chabi, 39, of Musenga Site and Service in Mansa district, appeared before Mansa Resident Magistrate George Mulenga facing one count of malicious damage contrary to section 335 of the penal code cap 87 as amended by Act number 17 of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that Mr. Chabi on December 17, 2017, wilfully and unlawfully damaged a Chitenge material and a flag belonging the Patriotic Front (PF) party all valued at K250.
Before Mr. Chabi took plea, defence lawyer Musa Mwenye moved a motion for the court to quash off the charge under Section 90 (6) of criminal procedure court and section 137 of the same procedural court, saying the charge before court was not properly laid down.
However, in his ruling, Magistrate Mulenga said he considered the submissions by the defence lawyers but noted that what was cardinal in the matter was that the issue at hand as alleged in the indictment was clear.
Magistrate Mulenga then ordered for the case to proceed.
Mr. Chabi, who is being represented by advocates from Mwenye and Mwitwa Advocates of Lusaka, then pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The matter has since been adjourned to January 17 for mention and January 29, 2019 for commencement of trial.
The Bemba Royal Establishment has condemned individuals politicizing President Edgar Lungu’s humorous remarks in reference to the Bemba people.
BRE Spokesperson James Mulenga has told ZANIS in Kasama today that the Easterners and Bembas have since time immemorial enjoyed a firm tribal ‘cousinship’ adding that it is unjustified for some people to blow the matter out of proportion.
He said politicians should not use such innocent remarks to cause tension in the nation saying ‘cousinship’ among tribes has helped to promote oneness in the country.
Meanwhile, Foundation for Justice Integrity and Fairness (FOJIFA) Vice President Evaristo Chongo says the remark by the Head of State on Bembas should not be taken seriously and calls for for him to apologize over the humorous remarks are misplaced.
By Dr Canisius BANDA
In a healthy relationship founded on pure love, when one partner farts, the other quickly laughs and such shared and infectious mirth further cements the bond.
However, when love is lost and hatred takes its place and reigns, it is the smell that takes eminence above all else, and could soon lead to violence and separation.
It is a given, for obscure reasons, that some people strongly hate our Republican President His Excellency Mr Edgar Lungu, the person.
Quite unfortunate, I should say. Pitiable really.
It follows therefore that whatever he says or does will always excite the most macabre and diabolical of feelings in them.
The noise that has affronted our ears days on end this past week about President Lungu’s reference to cockroaches and thieves is really laughable at best.
It is NOT a basis for removing or unseating a Republican President anywhere in the world as some seem to think.
It is clear that instead of focusing on issues such as challenging Zambia’s debt management strategy, the promotion of the amerioration of taxes to save our mines, and addressing the high cost of living in the midst of low credit flows in our economy, some political parties have now run out of worthy material to survive upon.
They have now degenerated into platforms for non-issues and purveyors of divisive hate speech.
Anyone who begrudges the healthy relationship between two or more tribes is guilty of tribalism and represents a veritable danger to our united nation.
One of them is the Chairman of our Socialist Party Dr Fred M’membe, a man I respect for his intellect and literary acumen but NOT for his political ambitions and practice.
I cite Dr M’membe in this treatise because his is a curious and interesting case for interrogation and study on matters of hateful speech.
You see, ignoring the fact that Dr Levy MWANAWASA had suffered post-trauma complications following a road traffic accident, Dr M’membe elevated his unbridled mockery of this citizen to national and global proportions by labelling him a cabbage, a degenerate.
But then the degenerate, this odious cabbage, ruled and today, many edifices are named after him.
It is Dr M’membe that ridiculed Mr Michael Chilufya SATA by calling him ‘the Ukwa of Zambia,’ a joke, a tag which was meant to tarnish the image of this citizen and diminish the political fortunes of this man by making Zambians laugh at him and NOT treat it seriously.
Now tell me who the joke is on now?
The PF is now the one laughing. See?
From the foregoing, you will note that this current Chairman of the Socialist Party of Zambia has neither the moral ground nor authority to lecture us about speaking.
But then if he is now born again, that is a matter for another day.
Noteworthy is that President Lungu’s speech was devoid of malice and ill–will.
But as I earlier stated, haters see no good in those they hate even when good is exhibited by the ones they hate.
First, President Lungu did NOT say that the Chinese were cockroaches. He didn’t say that.
Students of the English language who are conversant with similes in speech will attest to the value of this grammatical vehicle.
President Lungu only likened the Chinese to cockroaches to illustrate their omnipresence in the world and their resilience.
Nonetheless, worth mentioning is that whereas Chinatowns exists in many Eastern and Western countries, they do NOT in Africa.
I am sure President Xi JINPING of the People’s Republic of China finds this flattering because it is a compliment and was said as such.
However, it is clear that the Chinese unstopabble match to global economic dominance will not be without its drama.
President Lungu did NOT end there.
But typical of haters, they tend to have selective memory.
They have chosen to ignore President Lungu’s timely advice that, unlike cockroaches, we must NOT employ Doom/Target and exterminate the Chinese but instead, he guided, we must emulate them [their resilience] and engage them in a mutually beneficial manner.
To liken his simile to that of the pre-genocide hate speech that pervaded Rwanda in the early 90s, as some commentators are now doing, is to stretch and play with facts and reality a bit. This is excessive and wrong.
President Lungu loves to joke.
But then seeing a man you hate happy and joking is one of the most hurtful and painful sights on Earth. It really hurts.
Furtger, a funny joke isn’t funny when it is told by someone you hate.
President Lungu should note this.
In addition, anyone that seeks to drive a wedge between Zambia’s Easterners and Northerners will fail, and might only be guilty of national sabotage, a criminal offence under our penal code.
Joking amongst these peoples is as common as farting itself. Ask me.
As has now been cleverly handled by the Bemba Royal Establishment [BRE], a collective comprising very smart chaps, the Kanyanta Mangas, this is what keeps the two peoples happy, together and living in harmony.
It must and will continue.
Northerners and Easterners are like a key and a lock viewed interchangeably, two aspects of one thing. The two will always live in harmony.
Even the marriages between the two groups of people are such a bunch of fun.
It follows then that any one that seeks to derive political capital from such healthy cultural exchanges is either losing focus, begrudging of this relationship or is just devoid of the required depth of human attitude and thought.
Spindoctors par excellence that they are, the BRE has therefore recast the joke, and the laughter now goes on.
Through their defusing this fake political bomb which was not there in the first place, let all serious patriots and nationalists now get back to our national chief war, which is fighting poverty, hunger, ignorance, backwardness and disease.
Never must we see molehills as mountains. It is a mental disorder.
President Lungu should not stop joking whenever he can. Joking is good. It excites laughter, and laughter is the world’s greatest medicine as we are told.
Therefore he must NOT be distracted.
Amenso ku cibale, boss! Ifupumbu fimbi tafifundwa! I am now smiling, about to laugh. Join me.
Whether you do good or not, some people will always hate you. I guess it has something to do with a creature I hear exists called Satan. But then that is their business. I have not seen this this.
Beware, hate consumes or decimates only those that harbour it.
Let us premise our politics on love, each seeking not only his own survival and wellbeing but the survival and wellbeing of others as well.
Farting must never lead to conflict. Instead, we must see it only as a healthy indulgence that keeps all of us alive.
Napwisha, mukwai!
Dr Canisius BANDA
Development Activist
Green Eagles Aggrey Chiyangi says arriving in Algeria before their hosts Hussein Dey ahead of this weekends 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup second round, final leg decider is not an advantage for his team.
Eagles landed in Algiers 24 hours before Hussein Dey returned home following Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Lusaka on December 15 at Nkoloma Stadium.
Dey flew back home from Lusaka via Turkey and landed in Algiers on Wednesday afternoon.
Eagles on the other hand arrived on Tuesday afternoon via Dubai.
“No, I don’t think they is an advantage because this is their home. So even if they came late, for them it is fine,” Chiyangi said.
Meanwhile, Eagles held its first full-training session on Wednesday morning.
By Percy Chanda
BEMBAS WILL SUE MR LUNGU ONCE HE LEAVES OFFICE FOR IRREPARABLE DAMAGES FOR CALLING THEM THIEVES
Bembas will forever be stigmatized, traumatized and shunned by society as our reputation has been dented by Mr. Lungu for branding us as thieves and will therefore seek redress from the Courts once he leaves office and his immunity lifted, together with his accomplice Sunday Chanda. At that function Mr. Lungu was invited to address a professional body and not Ukusefya pangwena and whatever he said was official, therefore forget about that nonsense of Chimbuya. There is no any justification for Mr. Lungu to insult Bembas; we are not going to be swayed by any of his paid VUVUZELAS.
Mr. Lungu was fully aware of the presence of media organizations and therefore he was talking to the whole World and he cannot take Chimbuya to the whole World. He clearly knew what he was talking about in front of the cameras; and any further negative comments on the issue will be part of the our case. Intent to injure Bembas was there. Some people may ask why after leaving office and not now? The answer is very obvious, in Bemba we say UKWIPUSHA IMBWA NGE IFWELE.
We are also aware of the fact that UMULANDU TAUBOLA. So, all well meaning Bembas must do the needful when time to vote comes. As this will be the basis on which this compensation will be apportioned. The Province that will record the highest number of votes against Mr. Lungu will get the highest percentage of compensation.
It’s commonsense that all investors coming to Zambia will segregate against Bembas who have been openly and officially labeled as thieves. Even those in employment will be disadvantaged from other tribes as they will always with be treated as thieving employees. Any Bemba who is retrenched between now and before will kick out Mr. Lungu out of office will be retrenched as a result of their employers regarding them as thieves.
No employer in the World can risk employing any known criminal, especially if it involves dishonest behavior such as stealing. Mr. Lungu has placed all Bembas at places of work at high risk and will suffer consequences soon. Retrenchments do not disclose the reasons for such but from my experience as a Unionist, this is an opportunity for employers to get rid of bad eggs. No employer in his normal sense would retrench a hard working and honest employee. But a suspected thief will certainly find himself on the list.
It’s also true that the status of Bembas throughout the world has been gravely lowered in the minds of all normal thinking people and that the reputation of Bembas has been brought in public contempt, disrepute and odium, therefore we will Pray to the Court to compensate us for this injurious sufferings we will forever be subjected to .
The Author is the Chairman for Mines and Freedom Fighter for United Party for national Development (UPND), the the largest opposition party in Zambia with MPs in parliament
About 60 tankers carrying fuel for the Ministry of Energy are marooned at Chirundu border post since Thursday.
And the Zambia Union of Tanker Drivers-ZUTAD- has appealed to the Zambia Revenue Authority -ZRA- to quickly clear the tankers as they are causing congestion at the border.
ZUTAD Vice General Secretary Boyd Mawaso says the trucks have been at Chirundu and no reason has been given as to why they have Not been cleared.
Mr. Mawaso says the drivers are being made to pay parking fees every day and no one has intervened or given a response for the non-clearance of fuel tankers belonging to Juba Transport, Concrit structure and Zambulk Transport.
And Juba Transport Manager William Kasawala says all 26 truck drivers from his firm have presented the necessary documentation to clear the tankers, but none has been given clearance yet.
Mr. Kasawala has appealed to ZRA to quickly look into the matter as his fuel tankers are carrying one point four million litres of fuel for government.
Meanwhile when contacted for a comment ZRA Corporate Affairs Manager Topsy Sikalinda said he will give a comment after consultations.
Zambian Breweries has finalised the sale of its Coca-Cola bottling business to Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in a move that paves the way for it to focus fully on its clear beer operations.
The transaction follows shareholder and regulatory approval and is part of Coca-Cola’s wider restructuring of its bottling and distribution business across Africa in the wake of the acquisition of Zambian Breweries’ parent company SAB Miller by AB InBev in 2016.
Under the agreement in Zambia, identified employees have all received letters of employment from CCBA’s new company, Kalundu Beverages Limited, trading as Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia, and officially transferred with the business.
“I am very pleased that throughout this process we were able to keep everyone’s jobs and believe that the new company’s focus on soft drinks with CCBA at its helm will be beneficial for the growth of the soft drinks category in Zambia,” said Zambia Breweries country director Jose Moran.
“I wish the soft drinks team and our former colleagues all the best in this new adventure. The team will of course remain our friends and we look forward to catching up from time-to-time”, He added.
Zambian Breweries will continue to manufacture and bottle Coca-Cola soft drinks under a “co-packaging” contract with Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia (CCBZ).
CCBZ is a separate legal entity, unrelated to Zambian Breweries Plc, an ultimately owned by the Coca-Cola Company, which will now which will now distribute and market its brand.
The agreement enables Zambian Breweries to focus on its core business of producing and distributing clear beer brands including Mosi Lager, Castle, Carling Black Label, Eagle, Stella Artois, and Budweiser, added Mr. Moran.
Secretary to Cabinet Ronald Msiska has disclosed that budget consultations will now start in January to allow for adequate consultations with cooperating partners and budget planners before the final Budget is done.
He explained that this is part of linking the budget to the Seventh National Development Plan as well as other activities.
Dr Msiska has since directed the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of National Development Planning to come up with a coherent mechanism to facilitate the planning budget process.
He was speaking in Lusaka today during the official opening of a two-day National Development Coordination Committee Meeting at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
And Ministry of National Development Planning Permanent Secretary Chola Chabala said progress has been made on coordinating of the Seventh National Development Plan through strengthening of advisory bodies at national, provincial and district levels.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Budget and Economic Affairs Mulenga Pamu said economic growth has picked up in the second quarter of 2018 to 3-point 9 percent compared to 2 point 7 percent in the first quarter.
Dr Pamu has attributed the growth to positive performance in mining, stable supply in electricity, manufacturing and construction.
The Japanese government has given Zambia a grant worth 500 million Yen that will be used to buy modern equipment for the School of Veterinary at the University of Zambia.
Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe signed the agreement on behalf, while Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hidenobe Sobashima signed on behalf of Japan.
President Edgar Lungu and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe also witnessed the signing ceremony.
And speaking during a joint media conference, President Lungu said his visit to Japan has already yielded results as can be seen from the agreement signed that will benefit the University of Zambia.
He also announced that he has invited Mr Abe to visit Zambia at an opportune time.
President Lungu said the Japanese Prime minister has since accepted the invitation.
Meanwhile, Mr Abe said there is need to promote trade between Zambia and his country.
The Japanese Prime Minister said the Japanese government will continue giving support to Zambia in areas such as health and education.
He said Japan will also work with Zambia in various forums such as the United Nations and praised the Zambian government record of looking after refuges.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has said that his decision to meet Japanese investors in Tokyo is the sign that Zambia does not segregate investors.
The Head of state said that government will continue welcoming Foreign Direct Investment as long as it is aimed at benefiting the masses, adding that the Minister responsible for trade and commerce has been asked to help those that want to invest in different sectors of the economy.
Speaking when he addressed Zambian heads of public and private companies President Lungu challenged them to find business opportunities in Japan.
He said partnerships with big foreign firms will allow local companies to learn best practices and grow their businesses.
President Lungu said job creation requires concerted efforts hence his government’s decision to work with both private and public companies.
And speaking during the same meeting Redpath Country Director Anthony Kabaghe urged government to give more support to Zambia firms if they are to compete favourably.
Government has announced that Zambia will not bid to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AfCON).
Ministry of Sports Spokesperson Muma Mukupa says Zambia will not bid to host AfCON because the costs of hosting the continental soccer showpiece was not factored into the 2019 national budget which has already passed.
Mr. Mukupa stated that hosting the Africa Cup of Nations requires a lot of financial resources which could have only been possible if it was included in the national budget.
Mukupa says government is happy that the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has expressed interest to bid to host the 2019 AfCON except the country has no capacity at the moment to host a tournament of such magnitude.
FAZ expressed interest in bidding to host the 2019 AfCON tournament few weeks after the Chipolopolo’s ambitions of qualifying to the showpiece were ruined by Mozambique.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced last month that Cameroon had been dropped from hosting the tournament due to delays in preparations to stage the continental showpiece.
CAF is expected to announce the new hosts of the AfCON tournament on December31, with South African ranking among the front runners.
Government has intensified sensitization programmes on the enhanced Zambian Bank notes in Masaiti District on the Copperbelt Province.
Bank of Zambia Information and Communication Technology Manager, Paul Sikalinda says the new bank notes have been introduced to curb counterfeiting of the Zambian kwacha.
Mr Sikalinda said the new bank notes have also been necessitated to ensure quality and durability of the currency.
Mr Sikalinda said this during a courtesy call on Masaiti Council Chairperson Christine Chande at her office today.
“Two reasons necessitated this move by the Bank of Zambia. One there are people who make fake notes. These notes now have new enhanced security features which will be difficult for them to imitate. The second reason is quality, these are of better quality and will last longer,” he said
Mr Sikalinda stated that government’s goal was to ensure that every person knows and understands the new features on the notes.
Earlier Bank of Zambia Security Officer Bwembya Mulopa addressed a gathering of community members and stakeholders where he explained the new features on the Kwacha notes.
Mr Mulopa disclosed among others that the new notes include marks on the both sides that will allow the blind and visually impaired to run their fingers along the edges to know which note they were holding.
Meanwhile, Masaiti District Commissioner Mike Musonda and his Counterpart the Masaiti Council Chairperson Christine Chande have pledged to conduct sensitizing programmes amongst the people in the district.
The two leaders said they would seize every opportunity during their meetings and activities to sensitize people on the new notes.
