Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) has learned that 35 people that work for a manganese processing plant in Serenje District shake continuously after developing a strange illness. The victims are patiently waiting for a detailed medical report.

CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mwape, who visited the victims in Serenje District, Central Province, where CEJ is running a three-year project dubbed Resilient Initiative for Sustainable Environment – RISE project, expressed concern that the condition is suspected to have emerged from a toxic chemical used to enhance manganese grade. She emphasized that constant exposure to manganese could have caused a neurological degenerative condition, and that victims complained to her that the condition was also affecting the nervous system, resulting in erectile dysfunction.

“We are deeply concerned about the health of these workers,” Ms. Mwape said. “We call for an evacuation abroad for specialized treatment of the victims.”

Ms. Mwape urged the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board to respond immediately for compliance checks and negotiate for fair compensation for the affected workers. She noted that the workers were not receiving adequate protection, and that they were not receiving milk, personal protective equipment, and were not receiving full salary payment while nursing a wound when injured at work.

“Workers get paid K1,700 with the majority working as casual workers receiving K5 as overtime per hour,” she said. “We demand improved health and safety in processing plants in Serenje to save lives.”

Ms. Mwape also called on the Ministry of Health to conduct urgent official tests on the victims and provide them with a full detailed medical report on the condition. She urged the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to give a position on the alleged chemicals bought in Kabwe for use in Serenje, which were not good for human health and the environment.

“Zambia Environmental Management Agency – ZEMA should go on the ground in Serenje to assess the situation than waiting for periodic reviews when the atmospheric conditions clearly show that most investors are irresponsible emitters,” she said.

The CEJ Executive Director challenged the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development to give an official statement on the manganese processing investors in Serenje. She emphasized the need for responsible investors who shall respect the laws and regulations of the land, do not exploit people, and uphold human rights principles.

“Without a doubt, we need mining investors to create a balance for the economy, environment, and employment. But I must emphasize that we need responsible investors,” she said. “We demand action on bad investment practices, especially on the levels of pollution and damage to the environment coupled by the loss of inhabitants including human beings, as seen in Serenje.”

Ms. Mwape urged the leadership in Serenje to unite as they handle the politically charged and tense processes, adding that it was high time that those holding political positions became more responsible.

“We cannot have over 15 mineral processing plants without a single union to represent the interests of the workers, and therefore, we call upon relevant stakeholders to go and register workers for union membership,” she said.

One of the victims, whose identity has been withheld for fear of possible victimization, informed CEJ that the condition is not curable, adding that fair compensation would be ideal.

“I am one of the affected workers, and I can tell you that this illness has caused immense suffering,” the worker said. “We are grateful to the Centre for Environment Justice for advocating for our rights and urging the government to take action.”

Alliance For Zambian Informal Economy Associations (AZIEA) has cautioned the Zambian government against stopping the collection of levies from street vendors. The General Secretary of AZIEA, Lameck Kashiwa, has urged the government to provide safer and organized establishments for street vending instead of threatening vendors. Mr. Kashiwa highlighted that discontinuing levies would not be a solution to the issue at hand. He also argued that the government is contradicting itself by calling street vending illegal, as the markets and bus stations act allow trading on the streets.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Maambo Hamaundu, has directed local authorities to stop collecting levies from street vendors trading in undesignated places. Mr. Hamaundu has stated that collecting levies from vendors operating in illegal areas would legitimize an illegal trade. The Permanent Secretary has also reiterated that vending on Lusaka’s Lumumba Road and elsewhere is illegal. He has suggested that designated trading areas be found, and Lusaka’s Central Business District should be left free of vending.

The President of the Street Vendors Association of Zambia, David Mukuma, has commended the directive, saying that it would help protect street vendors who are often harassed by authorities and subject to arbitrary and excessive fees. However, the AZIEA has expressed concerns about the directive, stating that stopping levies without providing alternative solutions would not be beneficial.

The increasing population in Lusaka has made it difficult for the council to provide proper services. Mr. Hamaundu has acknowledged that Lusaka was designed for 100,000 people but now has over 3.1 million people. He has stated that the government is working with the Japan International Co-operation Agency to re-plan the capital city to accommodate the growing population.

The AZIEA has cautioned the government against discontinuing levies without providing alternative solutions. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has directed local authorities not to collect levies from street vendors trading from undesignated places. However, he has emphasized that the Central Business District of Lusaka should be left free of vending, and designated trading areas should be found.

Former Board Chairperson of the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), Judith Ngalande Lungu, has been arrested for the offense of Abuse of Authority of office. The 71-year-old resident of Luangwa residential area in Kabwe was arrested on February 15, 2023, in Lusaka by the Police Investigations Team.

According to brief facts of the case, Dr. Lungu, who served as the Board Chairperson of NISIR between 2017 and 2021, purchased a house from the Institute at a reduced price of 40 percent, which was a condition of NISIR employees. However, Dr. Lungu did not belong to the category of NISIR employees. She paid K178,000 towards the total cost of K381,000 and occupied the house, which is actually worth K800,000.

Danny Mwale, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed Dr. Lungu’s arrest and the charge against her. “I can confirm that Dr. Judith Ngalande Lungu has been charged with Abuse of Authority of office. She was arrested on February 15, 2023, and released on Police Bond. She will appear in court soon,” he said.

The news of Dr. Lungu’s arrest has come as a shock to many, as she was considered a respected member of society. Speaking to the media, a former colleague of Dr. Lungu expressed his surprise at the news. “I knew Dr. Lungu to be a very honorable person who always advocated for ethical practices in public office. I never would have expected her to be involved in something like this,” he said.

The arrest of Dr. Lungu has also sparked a conversation about the importance of upholding ethical practices in public office. In a statement, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) emphasized the need for public officials to always act in the best interest of the public. “As public servants, it is our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards and always act in the best interest of the public. Any act of corruption or abuse of authority is a betrayal of the public trust and will not be tolerated,” the statement read.

The Police Investigations Team has assured the public that they will continue to work diligently to investigate any wrongdoing and ensure that justice is served. “We take these matters very seriously and will not hesitate to take action against any public official who is found to be abusing their authority,” a spokesperson for the team said.

Dr. Lungu’s case has also brought attention to the issue of corruption in Zambia. According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Zambia ranks 117th out of 180 countries, with a score of 32 out of 100. The index measures the perceived level of public sector corruption in a country.

Speaking on the issue of corruption in Zambia, a representative from Transparency International Zambia said, “Corruption is a major issue in Zambia, and it is important that the government takes a strong stance against it. We need to ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions and that they are not above the law.”

The case against Dr. Lungu is a reminder that no one is above the law and that the abuse of authority cannot be tolerated. As the investigation continues, the public waits for justice to be served.