Police on the Copperbelt have arrested 31 foreigners allegedly using youth to steal copper from mines for their illegal mining activities. Some of the youngsters used for stealing are as young as 9-years-old.

And Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo has said Government will restore order in the mining sector and that no culprit will be spared in the operation.

Last night deportation orders were reportedly being signed to expediently expel some of the culprits.

The operation to restore order includes Government’s assurance to provide maximum security to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), the main victims of thefts.

Government has also reiterated its encouragement to illegal miners to form co-operatives through which they could operate without getting into conflict with the law.

Speaking yesterday after a meeting with KCM management in Chingola, Mr Kampyongo said Government wants to come up with a holistic approach on how best to meet the expectations of the mining companies and the illegal miners seeking decent lives.

“Our responsibility is to see youths empowered properly, not where you have a category of few youths who are driving big cars using other youths who are risking their lives every day,” Mr Kampyongo said.

He said government is not going to allow “vague investors” to disturb security and it would do its part by ensuring the illegal miners commonly known as ‘jerabos’ operate legally.

“We are not going to allow criminality. Our responsibility is to see our youths empowered properly,” he said.
He said all the foreigners connected to illegal mining activities will be rounded up by law enforcement officers.
He said it is worrying that the youths as young as nine-years–old are being used by unscrupulous people.

KCM chief executive officer Steve Din said the mining company is losing a lot of money through thefts.

He said KCM is willing to work with co-operatives for the sake of orderliness.

In a compressed pictorial presentation made by KCM head of security Max Maoma, the mining company unveiled damage done by illegal miners to the mine’s facilities.

And the illegal miners’ chairman, Douglous Chilembi, said his group is willing to register as a co-operative and get a certificate soon.

Mr Kampyongo went on a fact- finding mission at KCM Nchanga open-pit mine in the company of Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja, Ministry of Home Affairs deputy permanent secretary Willies Manjimela, Copperbelt commissioner of police Charity Katanga and other senior government officials.

Earlier, Mr Kampyongo warned that Government would deport foreign investors on the Copperbelt if it is proved they are bankrolling youths in Chingola and Kitwe to stage criminal activities in the mines and disturbing operations.

Mr Kampyongo said while Government appreciates investors’ contribution to the treasury, it will not allow the vices by using youths to cause disturbances to the operations of the mines.

Mr Kampyongo said this when he paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt permanent secretary Elias Kamanga at the provincial administration in Ndola yesterday.

Two people were shot at when a group of illegal small-scale miners (popularly known as jerabos) forcibly entered the KCM premises in Chingola and disturbed operations.

“For the Government to function, we require revenue and this revenue comes from the legitimate investment that we have and the mining sector has so many people it employs and suppliers who contribute to the economy of this country.

“If you have illegitimate investors who want to subtract from other investment, then they are not desirable. So our approach to this matter is to not only deal with the culprits being sent to disrupt operations, but also those who are sending them,” Mr Kampyongo said.

The minister also said that Government has contacted the diplomatic missions of foreigners involved in illegal activities and the embassies have distanced themselves form any wrongdoings in Zambia.

And Mr Kamanga said the provincial administration is happy that the Minister of Home Affairs was on the Copperbelt when there are criminal activities on the mines.

And the party says it is not worried about his absence, during this period when its leader Hakainde Hichilema remains incarcerated.

UPND Secretary General Steven Katuka has cautioned the public to stop talking about their vice president’s absence, as his party is comfortable and not complaining.

He has told QTV News that his party’s operations are running smoothly despite Mr. Mwamba’s absence.

And Mr. Katuka has stated that his party is saddened by the long incarceration of its leader.

He says that it is unfortunate that their leader will be celebrating his 55th birthday behind bars on June 4th 2017.

Mr. Katuka has condemned the countries judicial system for not according Mr. Hichilema a speedy trial.

Mr Ngulube who has come under fire for some PF party officials for asking them to pack calls on 2021 general elections says government and the Party should be focusing on improving the lives of the people as they promised during campaign as opposed to looking at general elections due 2021.

Mr Ngulube says he is still deeply rooted in the PF but merely wants to help the party deliver its promises so that President Edgar Lungu receives accolade after his completion of his five year tenure.

Mr Ngulube has cited the demolition of 800 houses in Kabwes David Ramusho ward as one of the negative moves that may not only cost the PF in Central province but the presidency.

He says the demolition of more than 800 houses especially from a ward that gave the Patriotic Front the most votes in Kabwe is not fair to the residents and a negative move for the party.

“The Maganda Nyama ward has been in existence since 1994 and mostly houses former ZCCM employees, it is very unfair that we come and demolish their houses now to make way for a multi facility economic zone without at least relocating them, or compensating them,” he said.

“Actually we have other places we can put the economic zone, we do not need to demolish these houses of people who voted for us.”

He observed that his position maybe misunderstood but maintained that all he wanted was to do the right thing; which is service to the people who voted for him.

He said Maganda Nyama yesterday was at the brink of serious riots and he did not want to see his town come to this.

Ngulube added that he has no intention to break away from PF or go against the President.

“Quite the contrary I want to see my President deliver, and we are his soldiers, I want to make the electorates happy on behalf of my President, that’s why am saying let’s do away with the 2021 talk, moreover we have a pending court process instead let’s focus on issues such as the happenings in Maganda Nyama,” Mr Ngulube said.

“We can not displace 800 households, that is not what the PF manifesto entails. The PF puts the people first.”

A demolition order by the Kabwe council has been issued to demolition David Ramusho ward to make way to set up a Multi Facility Economic Zone. The ward is home to Maganda Nyama compound which houses over 800 households.

The Young African Leaders Intiative YALI says there is need to bring to an end the indiscriminate abuse of public resources.

Commenting on the use of government receipts issued to toilet and car park users at UTH YALI governance advisor Isaac Mwanza said using a receipt that costs far more to people paying K1 and K2 was nothing less than abuse of public resources.

Mr Mwanza said the Ministry of Finance spends a lot of money to print the receipt books hence using these receipts books for toilet fee of K1 and car park at K2 is abusing government resources.

“The UTH and many public places are not helping our government to use the resources wisely. Government prints these receipt books at very huge cost. These receipt books are issued by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to institutions and given to institutions for free but to find a place like UTH using these receipts books for toilet fee of K1 and car Park at K2 is abusing govt resources.

“Where is the office of the Auditor General to advise institutions against such use of these receipt books? Where is the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee?”He said.

He noted the need to find a cheaper way of collecting revenue such as toilet fees.

“Government should either reduce the size of this receipt book or allow UTH to print own smaller receipt books for certain type of revenue collection such as car park or toilet fees. I doubt the revenue they collect using these receipts go to control 99.”

Mr Mwanza has since said he will meet with relevant authorities so as to seek an explanation on the matter he has raised.

“I will be seeking audience with Minister Mutati or the Public Accounts Commmitee if no plausible explanation is given. You know abuse of resources start with these things we may think are small but I challenge the media to find out from Ministry of Finance how much these receipt books costs and the net turnover from them,” he said.

We, in the United Progressive People (UPP), are utterly shocked to have learned, from some media sources, that the Chief Justice Irene Mambalima has maintained her position not to appoint the K345 million maizegate tribunal on account that it lacks merit.

The judiciary has been brought to its lowest under her leadership and she has lost credibility among Zambians.

She has undoubtedly lost her title of “Iron Lady” and all the high expectations that Zambians had when she was appointed have disappeared in thin air.

It’s ridiculous for her to state that the maizegate inquiry lacks merit. It’s the corruption in the grain sector and the whole agriculture industry which has made Zambia to be among the countries in which the cost of food is unjustifiably too high.

The Chief Justice is not a Court of Law to determine whether or not a matter lacks merit.

UPP did not write to her as a Court, but as a Constitutional Office, which is bound to appoint the tribunal whenever allegations are brought before the office holder.

The Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act, is very clear and even a little child can interpret it. The law compels the Chief Justice to “appoint the tribunal and notify the President…”.

The power for determination is vested in the tribunal itself. If a matter is frivolous and lacks merit, the tribunal would state so and punish the person who brought the matter before it.

This is plain and we don’t expect to debate on a matter which is straight forward.

The Supreme Court ruling in Attorney General versus William Harrington is instructive and we have consistently urged the Chief Justice to apply her mind to this decided case.

The Supreme Court held that the Chief Justice has no power whatsoever to establish whether or not there is a probable cause. All the remedies are in the law itself.

Insensitive public officers and judges will soon pay heavily for the justice they are miscarrying.

A day of reckoning is coming slowly, but surely!

We shall be issuing a statement on the next course of action next week.

As progressive nationalists and revolutionary crusaders, we have a duty to fight for the voiceless Zambians!

The cost of living in Zambia has risen sharply and many Zambians are now living in abject poverty because of corruption, which has now been extended to the judiciary.

Our judiciary is a total circus and laughable.

The civil servants, Army, Air Force, Intelligence, Police, Prisons and Zambian workers in general are working under slave conditions.

This has been exacerbated by the decline in the purchasing power of the Kwacha. Families are failing to balance their budgets – Pay Day is now “Pinch Day”.

God bless our nation!

Saviour Chishimba
UPP PRESIDENT

THE Non Governmental Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) wishes to commend Labour and Social Security Minister, Ms. Joyce Nonde Simukoko for appointing more women to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Board by 60%.

As a Focal Point organization of the women’s movement in Zambia, we note that Ms. Simukoko has appointed a female Board Chairperson Ms. Marian C. Munyinda with five other women and three men. The appointment of the six women to the NAPSA Board will propel efforts in increasing the number of women in decision making positions in Zambia.

Currently, the number of women in decision making position is extremely low in Zambia with only 10 female Cabinet Ministers out of 30 at about 3.3%. Similarly very few Public Boards have a balanced number of women and men as Board Members. The appointment of more women to the NAPSA Board will contribute to bridging the existing gender gap in held leadership positions between women and men in Zambia.

The move by Ms. Simukoko to appoint more female Board Members at NAPSA has increased the number of women in decision making positions thereby moving the country forward in achieving the SADC Protocol on Gender target and the Gender Equity and Equality provision of 50/50 women and men in decision making positions. The only way we us a country can narrow the existing gender gap in leadership positions is by employing affirmative action.

We wish to further congratulate our Former Board Chairperson Ms. Munyinda for being appointed Chairperson of the NAPSA Board. As the women’s movement, we are proud of her achievements and wish her well as she continues to offer exceptional service and leadership to this country.
Issued For/NGOCC

Sara Longwe
BOARD CHAIRPERSON

The Zambian government says the decision by the U.S. government to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement will affect developing nations like Zambia.

Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Lloyd Kaziya said the planned withdraw was a blow to developing countries who were adversely being affected by the negative effects of climate change.
Mr Kaziya said developing countries needed developed nations like the U.S. to help in mitigating the side effects of climate change, adding that the withdraw of one major developed countries was a blow.

“It is a serious tragedy because we need these super powers to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Right now we are struggling to get financing from the Green Climate Fund and the decision by the U.S. will just worsen the situation,” Mr Kaziya said.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will withdraw his country from the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

The announcement has received criticism from many parts of the world, with environmental campaigners saying American absence will make it considerable harder for the remaining countries to reach their agreed goals, given that the U.S. was responsible for about 15 percent of global emissions of carbon and promised 3 billion U.S. dollars to help other countries.

The Paris Agreement commits the U.S. and 187 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

U.S. payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing countries cope with the effects of climate change, will stop following the announcement to pull out.