Green Party President Peter Sinkamba says it is understandable that government could not announce the conclusion of the Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines negotiations because the issues involved are complex.

Speaking in an interview in Kitwe  after the Mines Minister’s press briefing in Lusaka on the two mines future, Mr. Sinkamba said the issues around the two mines cannot be done hurriedly because of the complex issues surrounding the negotiations.

On Monday July 31, 2023, Mines Minister told Journalists in Lusaka at a press briefing that he could not announce the final decision on Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines as he promised early this month because the negotiations have not been concluded.

Mr. Kabuswe however promised to be giving the national frequent updates on the progress.

Mr. Sinkamba said government should be given ample time to resolve the issues in a manner that will ensure a good final deal for Zambians.

“It is understandable that the Minister could not announce the final decision on the two mines today because the issues involved are complex, there are issues of the accrued debt that happened during the PF time and during the UPND time, the deterioration of the assets, and also some assets have been sold, so it is a complex matter,” said Mr Sinkamba.

He, however, urged government to find a way of resolving the issues as soon as possible as the people on the Copperbelt are depressed economically and socially because of the poor performance of the two mines.

He further disclosed that there are planned public protests slated for August 31 in Chingola and Chililabombwe if the issue is not resolved before that date, which he said government should curtail by resolving the issue soon.

And Kitwe Chamber of Commerce Emmanuel Mbambiko said it was disappointing to hear that government has failed to announce the conclusion on the issue of the two mines once again.

Mr. Mbambiko said government needs to make a decision on the issue.

“I am speechless, I don’t know what to say, I feel it’s now an issue of decision making which government needs to take, you cannot remain undecided forever,” he said.

And National Union of Mine and Allied Workers (NUMAW) President Saul Simujika appealed to mine workers to remain calm as government continues the process of resolving issues around the two mines.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe says the announcement of a new investor to take over Mopani and KCM will be done soon after negotiations are concluded.

Mr Kabuswe says the meetings with the potential investor are still on-going and once the negotiations with the rightful investor are concluded, the announcement will be made.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka, Mr Kabuswe said his office will continue updating the nation on the status of the negotiations.

He explained that government wants to settle for an authentic investor for KCM and Mopani Mines in a quest to have a formidable investor(s) who can benefit all Zambians.

“The delay to conclude negotiations with possible investors to take over KCM and Mopani Mines is because government wants to settle for a serious and professional one, who is going to deliver to Zambians,” he said.

Mr Kabuswe also indicated that government will continue to stiffen laws regarding the management of mines and minerals in the country  to stop illegal mining activities.

He said currently, his Ministry is tying all the loose-ends in a bid to manage the mineral resources which are illegally mined by a few unscrupulous individuals.

And Mr Kabuswe disclosed that his Ministry is coming up with the minerals Commission, which will act as a regulator for the minerals in the country.

He noted that the draft of the memo is currently at Cabinet office pending approval.

He said for the country to ramp- up copper production to the projected three million tonnes per year in the next 10 years, suitable investors are needed to meet the set target.

The announcement of a new investor to take over the operations of the two mining giants KCM and Mopani was supposed to be made on Monday July 31, 2023 by Minister of Mines and minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe.

Kitwe Catholic Priest Fr. Patrick Mupula believes Zambia has failed to utilise its mineral resources for its own good.

In his Sunday sermon, Fr. Mupula of Chamboli Catholic Church, said minerals that include emerald, gold, mercury, Sugilite and copper among others are not being utilised to benefit the people of Zambia.

He charged that instead of uncovering these treasures through mineral exploration, Zambians have opted to call foreigners to come and see the value of their minerals.

Fr. Mupula said foreigners benefit more from local minerals at the expense of the locals.

“Which buried treasure are you searching for? In Zambia God has given us a lot of treasures such as Emerald in Lufwanyama, the Kasenseli Gold in Mwinilunga, Sugilite in Mpika, Gold in Luano Valley, Mercury in the North Western Province, Copper, vegetation, water bodies among others. Unfortunately, we have failed to utilise them for our own good. Instead of uncovering these treasures through mineral exploration, we have opted to call foreigners to come and see the value of what we have and we give them permission to get what belongs to us,” he preached.

“It is outsiders who keep enjoying what belongs to the common man in Kandabwe, Buchi – Kamitondo, Chamboli! Why should we borrow money as a country when we can only sell what we have and generate income? It is very difficult to understand why most Zambians are poor when God has given us everything we need to be better. Where did we go wrong as a country? Efyo twalufyanya kuli Lesa Finshi? Look at how dilapidated the road from Kalumbila to Ikelenge is – this is the place which is very rich in minerals. Look at how dilapidated the Mufulira – Mokambo – Pedicle road is. Look at the Ndola – Mufulira road,” Fr. Mupula said.

He urged Zambians to appreciate and utilise the treasures God has given them.

“Look at how dilapidated some fridges at Kitwe Teaching Hospital Mortuary are. Besides, when was the last Kitwe Teaching Hospital painted? Enter the hospital and get the bad smell. You will die not of malaria but the bad stench.Where did we go wrong as a country? Efyo twalufyanya kuli Lesa Finshi? Look at the price of Mealie Meal now; what is it able to afford? In all this it is the common man in Buchi-Kamitonda to face consequences. And when our political leaders go to China, the US and other countries, they never learn anything. They go there to take pictures to post on WhatsApp and Facebook,” he added.

Fr. Mupula concluded:”The Gospel today is inviting us to appreciate the treasures God has given us and make use of them. And we are told that the treasure is hidden, it is never common. And we are told that the treasure is hidden, it is never common. In life refuse to be too common. Umukashana talingile ukuba common. People have to fight to see you, find you, and get you. But it is in Kitwe where we see some ladies who are way too common. Sure, umwanakashi ukulanwa Kombucha, Black Label? You find umuntu, ku bar eko ali, ku Nkana uko baletukana, eko ali, ifililo fyonse kulyapo ubwali, avoid being too common. A treasure is always hidden.”

Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has clarified on the recent events surrounding the alleged errors in the 11.3 billion kwacha supplementary budget, which was unanimously passed by Parliament last week Friday.

Dr. Musokotwane has explained that the case of the K298 million supplementary budget was a provision for only one component of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which is under Community Projects and not the entire CDF projects.

Dr. Musokotwane stated that a total sum of about K4.4 billion was allocated to CDF, for all its three components, which are Community Projects, Youth, Women and Community Empowerment, and Secondary Boarding School and Skills Development Bursaries.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, regarding the issue that arose from parliament and now to the general public, Dr. Musokotwane revealed that the Community Projects components had a provision of about 2.7 billion kwacha, of which the 298 million kwacha was added.

He said this was out of the remaining funds from the provision for community projects for last year which was not utilized, attributing it to slowness in the absorption of CDF.

He noted that instead of recalling the money to the treasury, a decision was arrived at to push it back to community projects in each constituency under community projects for this year.

The Minister hoped to restore public confidence in government planning, referring to the issue as a case of mere misinterpretation and not an indication of inaccuracies in the budget.

“We are supplementing more money to the 2023 budget to the extent of K298 249 818 million only under community projects, the money being a carryover from last year’s CDF budget under the community projects component of the CDF,” Dr. Musokotwane clarified.

And the Minister noted that the government is in a hurry to push development to all parts of the country through the successful implementation of the CDF.

He noted that following measures to identify the challenges associated with implementation of CDF, the government is putting in place various initiatives to streamline the implementation of CDF projects so that the development gap between rural and urban areas is bridged.

Dr. Musokotwane was displeased with the low utilization of funds, due to issues of legal provisions, delays in approvals and also the negative attitude by some council employees.

Zambia and Israel have signed a General Framework Agreement of cooperation between the two countries under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Zambia’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Stanley Kakubo, signed on behalf of Zambia while Mr. Eli Cohen, signed on behalf of the State of Israel.

The aim of the agreement is to provide a framework for cooperation between the Republic of Zambia and the State of Israel on the basis of equality and reciprocity in fields of mutual interest.

The signed agreement also aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The agreement will further reaffirm the importance of economic and social cooperation for the betterment of the two countries.

The areas of the signed agreement shall be in Education and Culture, Agriculture, Water, Green Economy and Environment, Information, Communication and Technology, Economic Cooperation and other areas of mutual interest to be agreed upon by both parties.

Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Mr. Kakubo said Zambia and Israel have for a long time enjoyed good relations and would want to continue working together for the mutual benefits of both countries.

Mr. Kakubo said the areas of the general framework would greatly benefit the two peoples of both Zambia and Israel.

“Zambia and Israel have for a long time been enjoying good relations and we would like to continue working together for the benefits of the people of both countries,” said Mr. Kakubo.

And the State of Israel Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen reaffirmed his country’s commitment to work with Zambia in various areas of mutual benefits for the two countries.

“I wish to state that my country has enjoyed cordial relationships with your country and we would like to continue collaborating in areas of mutual benefits for both countries.

Zambia’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Stanley Kakubo is in Israel with President Hakainde Hichilema who arrived  today  for a 3- day State Visit marking his debut visit to this country since his election as Zambia’s 7th republican President in August 2021.

President Hichilema, is in Israel   at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel.

Among other engagements lined up for President Hichilema while in Jerusalem, is to attend a meeting on creating an ecosystem for innovation – the Israeli Model at the King David Hotel, Ambassadors Garden Hall.

Mr. Kakubo says during the visit, President Hichilema is expected to engage in crucial talks with His Excellency President Herzog and His Excellency Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, as well as other high-ranking officials.

He says the discussions will delve into critical bilateral and regional issues, prioritising peace, security, and peace-building initiatives.

Mr. Kakubo adds that beyond the official engagements, President Hichilema will also open the Zambia–Israel Business Forum under the theme “Agro-Business Opportunities to Guarantee Food Security”.

He says President Hichilema’s visit offers a platform to further reinforce the strong and growing ties between Zambia and Israel, while exploring fresh avenues for further partnership in areas such as trade, technology, renewable energy, desert agriculture techniques, healthcare, and education.

“The visit aligns seamlessly with the President’s sweeping Economic Transformation Agenda by providing a vital opportunity to foster valuable partnerships with the dynamic business landscape of Israel, unlocking lucrative investment possibilities,” he added.

He noted that Israel’s unparalleled expertise in innovation and technology opens the doors to a world of mutually beneficial possibilities.

Mr. Kakubo says President Hichilema is expected to return to Zambia immediately after his engagements.