Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Celine Nair has denied recent claims by three unions representing workers at the company and its subsidiaries that the mine is not meeting production and planning requirements.

The Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), the National Union of Mining and Allied Workers (NUMAW), and the United Mine Workers of Zambia (UMUZ) issued a joint statement suggesting that employees of KCM subsidiaries, the Konkola Mineral Resources Limited (KMRL) and KCM SmelterCo Limited, were reporting for work without being assigned tasks.

In a press statement, Ms. Nair said “We are truly surprised with the stance the unions have taken because KCM has been transparent and maintains an open-door policy with the unions who are key stakeholders in matters affecting the company.”

The company has denied the claims that it is failing to meet production and planning requirements and states that it provides the unions with updates each time they make a request for information. Ms. Nair said “To insinuate that employees report for work just to sit within their workstations is not only inaccurate but a malicious statement that we cannot comprehend.”

The unions had requested for a site visit last week, which was accepted by KCM management but was later cancelled by the unions due to other commitments. Ms. Nair stated that “While KCM is facing some difficulties and indeed requires bridge financing, the picture portrayed by the unions is not correct.”

KCM has called on the unions to work together to find solutions to the company’s challenges instead of making false assertions. The company has emphasized that it is committed to working with the unions and finding a resolution to any issues that may arise.

This statement was issued by Shapi Shachinda, General Manager Corporate Affairs.

Yesterday, the Mine Workers Union of Zambia disclosed that some employees at Konkola Copper Mines are reporting for duty only to sit around as there is no work for them due to a lack of resources, funding and equipment for operations.

Speaking at a joint media briefing in Kitwe, MUZ President Joseph Chewe disclosed that the situation at both Mopani and KCM is desperate as the mines are now failing to meet production, conduct planning and development as well as the going concern of dewatering at Konkola Mine which requires huge amounts of money.

Mr. Chewe is of the view that the only solution to the challenges at KCM is to return the asset into the hands of Vedanta Resources but is worried that the out of court talks to restore the mine to production are taking too long.

He says it’s the desire of the Union to be joined to the ongoing talks between the investor and the government so that the workers perspective is added and represented.

Meanwhile, United Mine-Workers Union of Zambia-UMUZ President Wisdom Ngwira explains that the unions have collectively agreed to support the return of Vedanta at KCM to prevent the mine from complete collapse but has warned that this does not entail that the investor will not be held accountable.

The Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) has handed over the review of the draft Amendment Bill Public Order Act, Chapter 113 of the laws of Zambia and the proposed draft Public Gatherings Bill to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Zambia Law Development Commission Chairperson, Ruth Chibbabbuka, said the Proposed Public Gathering Bill that has been handed over seeks to repeal and replace the controversial Public Order Act which has been cited in the past for giving too much power to the police to suppress freedom.

Ms Chibbabbuka said the review was held in consultation with several stakeholders and is based on the submissions received during stakeholders and public engagements.

She said the commission noted that the Public Order Act is part of the colonial legacy that has a strong history of being used as a tool for suppressing the enjoyment of the fundamental rights of freedom of association, assembly and expression as granted in the constitution.

Ms Chibbabbuka said in a speech read on her behalf by ZLDC Vice Chairperson, Munukayungwa Munyima, that the commission has appreciated the desire to remove archaic provisions which were resonant of a colonial legacy from the Public Order Act and develop a law that reflects the social and political values of the Zambian society.

And Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, said the government has demonstrated its resolve towards undertaking legal reforms that are aimed at enhancing the rule of law in the country.

Mr Mwiimbu said the review of the Public Order Act chapter 113 of the laws of Zambia and the proposed Public Gathering Act will facilitate the enjoyment of the fundamental freedom of assembly and association which the country is known for.

He said the Zambia Law Development Commission was tasked to lead the process to repeal and replace the Public Order Act with a law that facilitates the enjoyment of the right of freedom while maintaining law and order.

“You may recall ladies and gentlemen that in June 2022, I officially launched the review of the Public Order Act and I did acknowledge that our current Public Order Act of 1955 hinders rather than facilitating the enjoyment of the fundamental freedoms of Association Assembly and Association,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice, Mulambo Haimbe, said the proposed draft of the Public Gathering Bill fulfils the government’s promise of protecting democracy, human rights and constitutionalism.

Mr Haimbe said the drafting of the proposed Public Gathering Bill 2023 was anchored on inclusiveness with active participation of key stakeholders such as judiciary, professional bodies such the church, academia and the Law Association of Zambia through a national consultative meeting which was held on 29th and 30th August 2022.

He disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Justice, has embarked on law reforms which are specifically aimed at amending some of the old laws that are not responsive to modern legal standards.

The minister said his ministry will work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to ensure that the Public Gathering Bill 2023 is approved by Cabinet for possible enactment by Parliament.

A Marketing Assistant at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Mpongwe District on the Copperbelt Province has been arrested by Police for allegedly stealing 330 by 50 kg bags of maize valued at K82, 500 belonging to the agency.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba has identified the suspect as 38-year old Ernest Katongo, 38, based at FRA’s Depot in Bwembelelo area of Mpongwe District.

Mr. Mweemba said Katongo was apprehended by Police in Kapiri Mposhi after running away from Mpongwe District.

Mr. Mweemba said the suspect was reported to police for removing bags of maize from the shed on 6th January, 2023 without the knowledge of the FRA Headquarters in Lusaka.

He said FRA security investigations discovered that bags of maize in question were taken using a truck registration number AJE 9465 belonging to Orbet Mutambo of Lwano District in Central Province.

Mr. Mweemba has told news reporters in Ndola that the maize in question is yet to be recovered by law enforcement agencies.

“Theft by Servant occurred on 06/01/2023 at around 1400 hrs at Food Reserve Agency Depot in Mpongwe situated at Bwembelelo area, Mpongwe in which male Ephraim Mvula aged 36 of Silverest, Lusaka, Security Co-coordinator FRA Headquarters Lusaka, reported on behalf of Food Reserve Agency Mpongwe, that male Enest Katongo aged 38, the Marketing Assistant at FRA Mpongwe Depot, stole 330 X 50kg bags of maize valued at K82 500, the property of FRA,” Mr. Mweemba said.

He said besides the internal FRA security findings, Police have launched their own investigations into the matter.

“Brief facts are that on 08/01/22 the reporter received security information that male Ernest Katongo who is the in charge at Mpongwe Depot FRA had removed bags of maize from the shed without the knowledge of the FRA Headquarters in Lusaka. The FRA security made a follow up to Mpongwe on Thursday 12/01/2023 and verified the information. It was discovered that 330 bags of maize were missing from the shed, and male Ernest Katongo was nowhere to be seen. He stopped reporting for work. Thereafter FRA security with the help of Paramilitary Police Officers attached to FRA made their own investigations and came to discover that bags of maize in question were taken using a truck registration number AJE 9465, trailer registration number AJE 9464 belonging to male Orbet Mutambo of Lwano District, Central Province. Later, the suspect was apprehended in Kapiri Mposhi and taken to Mpongwe police for further police action. Docket of case opened, arrest made but recovery not yet made,” Mr. Mweemba stated.

Meanwhile, Police in Chingola have recovered missing copper cathodes at Tinglong Investment Limited in Gykhana located off the Chingola-Kitwe Road.

The recovered copper cathodes are in connection to a reported case of breaking into the building case reported on 11th January 2023 in which Wellington Beremauro aged 49 of Chingola, manager at Aman Processing company reported that 11 tonnes of company copper blisters were stolen after 3 of his security guards were tied and copper amounting to K1, 600, 000 stolen.

“Investigations were instituted into the matter and no copper blisters valued at the said price was stolen, and no Aggravated robbery took place at the said company, but rather the guards connived with Peter Kapembwa aged 32, of 32 Railways road, Chiwempala and two of his colleagues only known as Richard Chilebela and Singogo to steal the copper cathodes which were later recovered at Tinglong Investment Limited of plot no 8413/m, Gykhana, Chingola off Chingola Kitwe Road. Investigations further revealed that the recovered copper was stolen from CCM mine, and was sold to M/Wellington Beremauro the manager at Aman processing company, who was later summoned for further investigations, and revealed that the report he gave to the Police about copper blisters being stolen at his company was false,” Mr. Mweemba said.

“He disclosed that the criminals stole copper cathodes, which he bought from M/Jimmy Ndumba, aged 37 of House Number. 37 Chiwempala Road Chingola and not copper blisters as earlier reported. He led the Police to the arrest of the suspect Jimmy Ndumba, who also revealed that he stole the copper cathodes from CCM mine with the help of two workers from CCM mine, and sold to Wellington Beremauro of Aman Company. The recovered copper cathodes (plates) were identified by CCM mine as their copper through the labels marked on it.”

“Wellington Beremauro was charged with two counts; giving false information to a public officer, and receiving stolen property, and was later detained together with Xuan Tinglong aged 49, a Chinese National, Guo Hetian of plot no.8413/m Gymkhana Chingola for the subject offence. However, the two Chinese nationals and Wellington Beremauro were later released after recording statements from them. So far, three suspects have been charged for breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, and two suspects will be charged for theft of copper. Investigations continue to apprehend two suspects for breaking into the building and omitting a felony therein, and two suspects for Theft of copper, who are still at large,” Mr. Mweemba stated.

Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha has advised newly recruited state advocates to resist engaging in any form of corruption during the course of their duty.

Mr Kabesha says the advocates should portray exemplary behavior as they represent the Attorney General’s Chambers.

ZANIS reports that Mr Kabesha was speaking during the official opening of a two-day induction of newly recruited state advocates and staff in Lusaka today.

He said the recruitment of personnel in the Ministry of Justice coincides with President Hakainde Hichilema’s call to heighten the dispensation of the justice system.

Mr Kabesha disclosed that the Attorney General’s chambers has employed 12 new state advocates and promoted 13 others to be sent to provinces and will be responsible for vetting Constituency Development Fund (CDF) contracts and prosecuting civil litigation matters.

“The 25 state advocates have been posted to five provinces namely North-Western, Central, Southern, Eastern and Northern Provinces. It is our hope that these offices will be open by April this year hence this induction to orient you, the new advocates for the work ahead of you in the provinces,” he said.

Mr Kabesha explained that the decentralization of the Attorney General’s Chambers is in line with President Hichilema’s directive issued during the official opening of the Second Session of the 13th National Assembly on September 9, 2022.

He further said the move is in line with Article 177 (6) of the Constitution of Zambia and Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

“The Decentralization of Attorney General’s Chambers is part of the planned Governance programmes under the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP),” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Solicitor General, Marshal Muchende challenged the advocates to help government recover plundered public resources.

Mr Muchende noted that whilst defending government cases is necessary, it is important for the advocates to work in line with the current administration’s fight against corruption.

“This Government has put a premium on the Debt Collection Unit at civil litigation. This is the unit which will be the flag carrier going forward because we want to go after the money that has been stolen from the people of Zambia. There was a recent judgement in the Criminal court involving some workers at Postal Services, I think you know that matter, Chanda and others. After convicting the accused, the court instructed the Attorney General to recover the millions of money that were stolen,” he said.