PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has stepped in at Luanshya Copper Mines (LCL) and ordered the mine owners to rescind the decision to lay off 1,200 miners at its Baluba Mine.

President Lungu said the decision taken by LCM management is null and void and an expression of arrogance after Government asked the investor not to take the harsh action to lay off workers.

President Lungu has since directed Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma, Fackson Shamenda for Labour, and Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to address issues affecting Baluba Mine on the Copperbelt.

The President’s message was communicated by Mr Kambwili who is the Chief Government spokesperson when he addressed hundreds of miners in Luanshya’s Mpatamato Township yesterday.

Mr Kambwili said he had discussed with the President on matters affecting the smooth running of Baluba Mines were discussed.

“The decision to lay off workers is null and void. As far as government is concerned Baluba Mine is still operational and workers are still working,” President Lungu said during the discussions.

Mr Kambwili during his address to the miners urged mine investors to respect Zambians and not to abrogate the Minerals and Mines Act.

He said it was important for the mine owners in the country to involve Government before rushing to take steps such as cutting their labour force.

He said amid cheers that Government would ensure a consensus was reached in the matter involving the affected Luanshya miners.

He appealed for calm among the miners as Government strategizes on finding an amicable solution to the matter.

Government had already taken steps to intervene in the concerns of reduced power supply to Baluba Mine.

To this effect communication between the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), LMC and acting Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda was already taking place to provide a solution to the problem.

A letter dated September 7, 2015, from Mr Chanda to CEC, indicated that concern was raised by LMC over plans to reduce power supply by 30 per cent and the power company was advised to reconsider this decision.

“If indeed you intend to restrict the power supply, I suggest that you reconsider your decision and see how best you can manage this matter to ensure continued operation of Baluba Mine and Concentrator to avoid placing such a huge number of employees on forced leave with uncertain future,” Mr Chanda stated in his letter to the CEC chief executive officer.

LMC confirmed that 1,200 miners had been sent on forced leave while the attendant departments had been placed on care and maintenance.

Government has clarified that the action to withdraw Former Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba’s diplomatic passport was done within the law.

Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila said the law under the Passports Act No 22 of 2003 does not allow Mr. Mwamba to possess a diplomatic passport as he is no longer a cabinet minister neither is he a Member of Parliament as per ruling of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

He said this during a media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon.Mr. Mwila said Mr. Mwamba was not arrested neither was he detained as was alleged.

He added that Mr. Mwamba is free to apply for an ordinary passport to enable him travel.

Immigration officials withdrew Mr. Mwamba’s diplomatic passport yesterday around 15 hours when he attempted to leave the country.

Meanwhile, Police in Luwingu have warned and cautioned opposition UPND candidate in Lubansenshi parliamentary by-election Patrick Mucheleka over the alleged assault of Luwingu District Commissioner Patrick Chanda.

Mr Mucheleka appeared at the Police Station in Luwingu this morning in relation to accusations that he perpetrated violence which led to the beating of Mr Chanda by suspected UPND cadres last weekend.

Acting Northern Province Police Chief Lackson Sakala said in an interview that the former MP was questioned for his alleged involvement in the electoral violence before being warned and cautioned.

“It is true that he was warned and cautioned today; he came in the morning together with his lawyer and the matter is in relation to what you have been writing about,” Mr Sakala said.

Mr Sakala advised politicians taking part in the Lubansenshi by-election set for September 24 to abide by the rules of the game and ensure they observed the law.

He warned that the police had deployed enough officers to maintain law and order by dealing with any lawlessness ahead of the parliamentary by-election.

“Apart from this incident, I can say that the campaigns have been peaceful but I would like to say that all those that are taking part in the by-election should maintain peace at all times,” he said.

Mr Mucheleka was summoned following reports that UPND cadres had assaulted Mr Chanda who they accused of campaigning for PF candidate George Mwamba.

At least six suspected UPND cadres were also arrested on Monday in connection with the assault of the district chief.

Police also arrested a UPND member of Tolopa village for alleged unlawful possession of four voters’ cards and four national registration cards (NRCs).

In light of the recent closure at Mopani Copper mine, the UPND has announced the launch of its UPND Business Consultation Survey as part of the consultation process in further developing its policy platform for the 2016-2021 elections.

On the occasion of the launch UPND President Hakainde Hichilema made the following statement:

“The costs of bad economic management and failed leadership are being felt across Zambia right now. We can’t afford another Mopani.

Power shortages and currency instability are hitting businesses that have already had to demonstrate great resilience in riding out the policy instability and confusion of recent years.

Unfortunately we are hearing regular reports of SMEs closing, and some of our biggest employers in the private sector have now suspended their operations.

As we have been touring across the country we have been consulting everywhere we go on the policies and programs our citizens would like to see from their Government. This survey provides a welcome opportunity for more detailed input from a range of businesses.

Our major criticism of the PF approach has been the failure to properly consult and develop a clear plan and vision for the economy, which provides a stable and supportive environment for Zambian businesses and attracts international investment.

The UPND recognises the vital role that entrepreneurs, businessmen and women and investors play in creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth in Zambia. Given recent challenges, the UPND is now undertaking additional efforts to refine and further develop its policies on supporting businesses and industries that will create employment, develop value-add industries and diversify the economy. This is the sensible way to increase protection from future fluctuations in commodity prices.

We are also consulting respondents about how we can create more opportunities for young Zambians in particular, such as through apprenticeship schemes and skills training initiatives. This will help us calculate what is manageable to deliver to the Zambian people before promising the world and delivering very little.”

Following the survey and further consultations with civil society, experts and members of the public the UPND plans to launch a Business Manifesto together with its 2016-2021 Election Manifesto.

Businesses who would like to participate should send a request to upndinfo AT gmail DOT com.

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Issued by: UPND National Campaign Centre, Lusaka

The ruling Patriotic Front (PF) deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri has advised United Party National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema to start respecting other people’s professions.

Mr. Hichilema recently asked President Edgar Lungu to resign as Head of State stating that he should leave the office for people who had economic skills to govern the country.

But Ms Phiri said being an economist did mean that Mr. Hichilema could be a good President of Zambia stating that he should stop dreaming because the Zambian people would never let him govern Zambia.

She said it was clear that Mr. Lungu was doing well as the Head of State of this Country and that the people of Zambia had been able to see that.

“Hakainde Hichilema should not think as though he is the most educated person and he is the only one with the skills to run this county. He should learn to respect other people’s professionals,” Ms Phiri said.

She said the UPND leader was not the most educated person in the country for him to think he alone had the capacity to run the country.

“We cannot all be economists, we cannot all be doctors, God gives us talent differently that is how we are all able to contribute effectively to the development of this nation,” Ms. Phiri said.

She said it was difficult to ascertain whether Mr. Hichilema could run Zambia effectively if the Zambian people were to give him a chance because he has never run any country.

“So he is a joker. Am in Lubansenshi as I speak in the on-going campaigns, I didn’t hear what he said but what is on the ground here is that he is not trusted,” Ms. Phiri said.

She advised Mr. Hichilema to encourage former Kasama central Member of Parliament Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba commonly known as GBM to withdraw the case in the courts of law so that it could prove that the UPND could win the seat.

Ms Phiri said the UPND could not be trusted with any power because they do not even understand the separation of power.

“They are arguing with Mr. Speaker when we have a precedence where Ben Tetamashimba resigned from the UPND and joined the MMD and his election was nullified, but them because they do not understand governance. HH has never even been a councillor, he cannot understand these things,” Ms. Phiri said.

“Is that a person you can trust, somebody who does not understand a simple nullification of a seat by the speaker, is that the person you can trust?,”she said.