Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Evans Kangwa and Reyold Kampamba this afternoon inspired Nkana to their first Faz Super division win of the season.
Nkana beat Konkola Blades 3-0 at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe to move from 13th to 5th place on the table after three games played.
The win comes just two days after Green Buffaloes beat Nkana 3-1 at the same venue in a Week 2 game on Saturday.
Charles Shamukomba gave Nkana a 1-0 lead into the break, Kangwa made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute before Kampamba wrapped up the three points with the third four minutes before fulltime.
Meanwhile, the lead at the top of the table has changed hands after Zesco United beat Buffaloes 2-0 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
John Chingandu was on target in the 27th minute while his halftime replacement Kangwa Chileshe added the second goal in the 83rd minute.
And Buffaloes were reduced to 10 men in the 77 minute after Steven Kabamba for a second booking.
Zesco replaced Red Arrows at the top of the table after the latter lost their first league game of the season to visiting Zanaco who beat them 1-0 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Lewis Macha’s 5th minute goal relegated Arrows from first to second place on the table.
And at Edwin Emboela Stadium, Napsa Stars recorded their first win of the season after two successive defeats when they beat Nakambala Leopards 2-0.
Martin Tembo and a Mike Silawuve penalty in the 27th and 77th minutes respectively gave Napsa their first three points of the season.
Results
09/04/2012
Konkola-Mine Police 1 -Roan United 1
Nkana 3-Konkola Blades 0
National Assembly 1-Forest Rangers 2
Zesco United 2-Green Buffaloes 0
Red Arrows 0-Zanaco 1
Napsa Stars 2-Nakambala Leopards 0
10/04/2012
Green Eagles-Indeni
Postponed
Nchanga Rangers-Power Dynamos
MINISTER of Justice Sebastian Zulu has said that Government will not waste money to conduct a referendum on issues surrounding Western Province as this will be an exercise in futility especially that most Zambians have rejected calls for secession.
The minister was reacting to calls by Nkoya Royal Council chairperson Edwin Nkomesha who called on Government to conduct a referendum for Western Province that will be used to end the controversies surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Zulu advised the Lozi-speaking people against agitating for secession of Western Province from the rest of Zambia but allow Government to restore the Barotseland Agreement through the devolution of power.
Mr Zulu said the people of Western Province should understand the implications of the contents of the Barotseland Agreement.
He said the boundaries of Barotseland go beyond some of Zambia’s borders and wondered how possible it will be for the people of Western Province to claim the land in some neighbouring countries.
Mr Zulu said the issue of the Barotseland Agreement is a sensitive matter which needs to be handled carefully by the parties involved as failure to do so may result into anarchy.
“The issue of the Barotseland Agreement is a very sensitive matter and people should not be calling for the referendum because that will be a very futile exercise. In countries such as Sudan and Russia where a referendum was held, this resulted in loss of lives.
“We just have to ensure that Zambia remains the way it is as a unitary state rather than calling for secession of Western Province from the rest of the country,” he said.
Mr Zulu said while the people of Western Province have a good cause as regards the issue of the Barotseland, there is nowhere in the Agreement where secession is mentioned.
He urged the people of Western Province to ensure that there is dialogue on the matter to rectify the mistakes that could have been made at the time the Agreement was signed.
Mr Zulu said emotions should not take centre stage in finding an amicable solution to the problem.
The minister also said Government is aware of the underdevelopment in Western Province and that it is putting in place measures aimed at addressing various challenges faced by people in the area.
“We are aware that the people of Western Province want development and this is what this Government is doing to ensure that development is taken to the area.
“We want the people of Western Province to work closely with Government so that meaningful economic development can be taken to the region,” he said.
A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus-the demigod son of Zeus-is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned
PROS
Very good action scenes
The special effects are excellent, and I also appreciated the fact that they are used in order to be auxiliaries of the narrative, and not as apparatus arbitrary exhibitions which interrupt the story’s flow.
There were interesting characters and creatures.
CONS
Story line is predictable.
The acting could have been better.
FAVORITE QUOTES
Zeus: Being half human makes you stronger than a god.
Andromeda: We humans hope when there is no hope. We believe when believing is idiotic. Inspite of evertyhing, we prevail.
Hades: Your sweating like a human. Next will be tears.
CONCLUSION
Wrath of the titans is an entertaining movie …. but it does not have that special something that would make it a great movie. It seems to be leading towards something but the ending battle is rather underwhelming . If you watched the previous movie “Clash of the titans” , this one is not much better , just a continuation of the story. Maybe they will get it right the third time around.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has charged that the patriotic front has no proper plan of managing the economy.
Mr. Hichilema says that the country%u2019s economy has continued to record poor growth because of lack of proper management by the government.
Mr. Hichilema cited the continued depreciation of the kwacha as one major example to the poor growth the country has continued to experience.
He says that had the governemnt had proper plans for the economy, the local currency would not have experiencing shocks.
He says that it is important for the PF to put in place measures that will ensure that the level of the economy does not further go down.
He says that a lot challenges might arise as a result of the poor management of the economy.
The opposition Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) has called on opposition parliamentarians to be alert and provide necessary checks and balances to the ruling patriotic front government.
MMD Deputy National Secretary Chembe Nyangu sid that it would be wrong for opposition parliamentarians to relax amid so many blunders by the Patriotic Front.
Recently, MMD Solwezi central Member of Parliament Lucky Mulusa said the relaxed attitude by Felix Mutati as leader of the opposition in parliament is suppressing progressive debates meant to assist the government.
Mr. Nyangu said that the party will first have to study the matter for it to be handled appropriately.
He however told QFM that if the reports are true, it would be incorrect for Mr. Mutati, as leader of the opposition, to be relaxed because the opposition has a huge task to play in parliament.
FORMER MMD national secretary Katele Kalumba has vowed to remain in the party and continue speaking out on the wrongs in it and has asked party acting president Michael Mabenga to stop intimidating members with divergent views.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Dr Kalumba said he was at liberty to speak on the wrongs in the MMD and that no member of the party would stop him from exercising his democratic right to do so in the former ruling party.
He said he would not be cowed by people like Mr Mabenga, adding that there was need for MMD leaders to be upright and speak out if the party was to remain relevant on the political scene.
Of late, Dr Kalumba has been issuing statements on the alleged poor leadership style in the former ruling party, remarks that have not gone down well with the top leadership.
But party chairperson, Mr Mabenga, now acting president, has repeatedly defended the MMD style of leadership.
“First, I want to make it clear that I don’t renew my card from Mr Mabenga’s office, I am not a national executive committee (NEC) member. I have a branch.
“I only belong to a branch and so I don’t owe Mabenga any explanation for any statements that I make. I dare him to go ahead with anything that he wants to do to me if he is a real chairman of the party,” Dr Kalumba said.
Dr Kalumba, who served as national secretary, said he scarified a lot for the MMD and therefore, he would not allow any member to intimidate him.
He said as chief executive officer of the MMD, there were times when he used his personal money to run the party’s affairs and as such, he would not accept to be intimidated by any individual, including Mr Mabenga.
“I was national secretary of the MMD and I sacrificed my personal money and so I will continue to speak without fear or favour.
“I ran that secretariat using my money and I will not accept to be intimidated by anybody,” Dr Kalumba said.
He said those who were now holding senior positions in the MMD were not around when the party was being founded.
Dr Kalumba said even at the time of forming the MMD, he made numerous sacrifices as well as contributions to ensure that the party became stronger.
He said the MMD then was strengthened because of his efforts and those of others and not the current crop of leaders.
“I am a founder member of the party and I don’t want to be intimidated by anybody,” Dr Kalumba said.
Power Dynamos were shamed in Lubumbashi today where hosts and four-time African champion TP Mazembe crushed them 6-0 to boot Fordson Kabole’s side of the Caf Champions League.
Mazembe advance to the second round 7-1 on aggregate and hand Zambian champions one of their worst ever defeats in African club competition.
However, most of Power’s misery was inflicted in the first half in which the first four goals were score by two of the three Zambian players who had started the match for the four-time African champions from DR Congo.
Zambia midfielder Rainford Kalaba put Mazembe ahead in the 10th minute and 11 minutes later Tresor Mputu made it 2-0 from a seemingly offside position.
Kalaba’s compatriot and striker Given Singuluma scored two quick fire-goals in the 42nd and 44th minutes as Mazembe outplayed their guest from just across the border.
Singuluma and Kalaba including defender Stophilla Sunzu started the match.
Mputu completed his hat trick in the 67th and 77th minutes to see Mazembe book their big second round date against El Merreikh of Sudan in a fortnights time.
El Merreikh beat FC Platinum of Zimbabwe 3-0 on Saturday in Omdurman to advance 5-2 on aggregate.
President Michael Sata is deeply saddened by the death of Princess Nakatindi Wina, a renowned politician and former cabinet minister in the inaugural MMD administration.
In his message of condolences to the Wina family, President Sata says the Princess, had offered many years of dedicated service to the country and the cause of women emancipation.
The President observed that Princess Nakatindi Wina provides great lessons that women can with determination, achieve whatever goals they set for themselves.
Mr Sata has eulogized the Princess as one of the pioneering women in the struggle and later one of the advocates of the re-introduction of plural politics in Zambia.
The President says Government will stand by the bereaved family and render every possible form of assistance.
Mr Sata prays that God grants the bereaved family comfort and strength as they mourn the departed heroin.
This is according to a statement released to ZNBC news by State House Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.
Princess Nakatindi Wina died on Thursday at Milpark Hospital in South Africa.
And president Sata is deeply saddened at the untimely death of Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika, following a cardiac arrest.
In his letter of condolences to the newly inaugurated Malawian President, Joyce Banda, Mr Sata has expressed his deep sense of shock and sadness at the death of President Mutharika.
He says Zambians feel profoundly sorry for the loss of a true friend and shares Malawi’s sadness during this period of enormous pain.
The President stated that Zambia particularly remembers the President for the many years he spent in the country during his tenure as Secretary-General of COMESA.
President Sata says President Mutharika’s sudden death is a great loss not only for the people of Malawi, but for the Southern African region and the continent as a whole.
The Head of State stated that President Mutharika, will also be remembered as a great reformer who championed the cause of humanity and dedicated his life to selfless service up to the time of his death.
President Sata says the President will be solely missed by all who knew him for the ideals that he firmly stood for.
By Kaseba (Literary and research journalist and Editor of upcoming‘A Concise Dictionary of Common Names of Zambia)
Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) National Secretary Major Richard Kachingwe has said his book, “The Last Hours of RB” was inspired by press distortions that MMD and former President Rupiah Banda resisted to concede defeat to Patriotic Front (PF) in the 20th September, 2011 tripartite elections.
Major Kachingwe who is organising the MMD national convention scheduled for 25th May, 2012 and in court in defense of MMD elections materials acquisitions, said in an interview with Kaseba (co-presented with Kawang’u Muzhina) during recording on yesterday of ZNBC Radio Two programme, “Book Spectrum” to broadcast on Monday 20:30.
“I was inspired by distortions in the press, local and international, that MMD and RB did not want to concede (defeat). At that time, as National Secretary, I was closer to RB. We moved with him everywhere. And even the night they were counting we were together. …I wanted to clear the air and say it were not so.[pullquote]UNIP has opened an ANC and UNIP archive, developed a professional catalogue, and digitalised thousands of documents of ANC and UNIP documents from 1959-1991. The archive is the second largest political archive in Zambia after The National Museum[/pullquote].
“I thought it is important, the international community respected Zambia for their democratic transition or handover of power. But then, in the midst of that (there were) distortions. I wanted to clear that air, there was no such resistance. Everything was law governed and we were prepared to hand over power in a decent way, to give the Zambian people what they wanted. There was no time where it appeared he was not going to concede,” he said
Major Kachingwe’s MMD in 1991 defeated UNIP and President Kenneth Kaunda conceded defeat before official results whereas President Banda conceded defeat after official results to defuse electoral tension and suspense in Zambia.
In the book, interview and according to President Banda in Boston University (BU) in USA, Kachingwe said MMD and RB were (still) shocked by the election defeat but were willing to concede and hand over power. RB in his first lecture at Boston University counted the peaceful handover of power to PF and President Sata as part of his legacy.
The radio interview also touched on topics outside the book including MMD precedent of third president Levy Mwanawasa’s lifting of second President Chiluba’s immunity and Dr Chiluba’s arrest of first President Dr Kaunda, the fourth President Banda’s legacy as much as MMD loss of steam in its initiated fight against corruption.
In the same programme, Comrade Anamela accompanied by his research officer Elina Nyirenda said UNIP has opened an ANC and UNIP archive, developed a professional catalogue, and digitalised thousands of documents of ANC and UNIP documents from 1959-1991. The archive is the second largest political archive in Zambia after The National Museum.
“We have worked in the last 20 years in the opposition to preserve this very important historical heritage. We not only hold UNIP historical materials but also the ANC material because…following the Choma declaration (in 1973) United Nation Independence Party and African National Congress merged. The ANC materials became part and parcel of UNIP materials,” said Vice UNIP President Anamela.
Further, UNIP, is considering a name change from United Nation Independence Party to United Nation Integration Party. UNIP broke away from Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula’s ANC to found ZANC, the forerunner of UNIP which later outlawed and absorbed ANC.
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
PROS
Very good acting by the young cast
It has a very gripping and original story
CONS
Some of the CGI (computer generated images) were not done so good.
If you have never read the books before you may be lost in the beginning of the movie.
FAVORITE QUOTES
President Snow: Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, alot is dangerous. This fact is fine, as long as it’s contained.
Peeta Mellark: You’re our mentor. Don’t you have any advice? Haymitch Abernathy: Yes. Embrace the probability of your imminent death.
CONCLUSION
The hunger games is a very entertaining movie. Having not read the book before, i did not know what to expect .What i got was a great original story , excellent acting , impressive visual effects and costumes, and fantastic action scenes. This movie may be seen in the same light as Harry potter and Twilight, but it does have some more mature themes. It handled themes such as politics , feminism and religion . It is a great movie that the whole family can enjoy.
“He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen”
(Matthew 28:6, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
We have a reason to celebrate every day because we serve a God who is alive and filled with resurrection power! Not only did He resurrect Jesus from the dead, but He wants to extend His resurrection power to every area of your life, today!
Maybe you have a dream to get out of debt, pay off your house or be free from that burden of lack, but it looks like it’s impossible in the natural. Business is slow. The economy is down. You’ve gone as far as your education allows. But God is saying, “I’m not limited by those things. I’ve got resurrection power. I can give you one break that will thrust you to a new level. I can open up doors that no man can shut. I can bring talent out of you that you didn’t know you had. I can cause people, for no reason, to go out of their way to want to be good to you.”
Your part is to keep believing today, knowing that He wants to bring you into supernatural increase. Remember, He is risen, He is alive, and He is faithful to His Word. Trust Him today and let His resurrection power work in your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for Your resurrection power at work in my life. Today, I give You my broken dreams, disappointments, failures and setbacks, trusting that You will breathe Your life into me. I trust that You have a good plan for my future, and You are leading me into total victory in Jesus’ name. Amen!
File:Chief (Mwene) Mutondo of the Nkoya people of Kaoma Western Zambia. Photo by D. Namenda
The Nkoya-speaking people of Mongu, Kaoma and Lukulu districts have distanced themselves from calls that Western Province should secede from Zambia.
The decision was arrived at during a meeting that took place in Kaoma on April 7, 2012 involving indunas, senior village headmen and subjects to discuss the resolutions passed by the Barotse National Council during their April 7- 8 meeting in Limulunga.
The resolutions were submitted to the on-going two-day Nkoya National Council (NNC), which is expected to close this evening at Chilombo ceremonial grounds in Kaoma.[pullquote]Nkoya Royal Establishment chairperson Edwin Nkomesha described the call for secession as primitive and selfish coined to enrich a few people through the collection of royalties from non-Lozi-speaking people[/pullquote]
Former Mongu Municiple Council director of administration Crispin Mungonge, who read the resolutions on behalf of the Nkoya-speaking people in Kaoma, said the Nkoyas resolved that all sub-chiefs from the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) who represent the Litunga in Nkoya land should be banished immediately.
He said the BNC was afraid of claiming the areas along the line of rail because they knew that agitation to secede lacked merit.
They urged the Government to create an 11th province involving Kaoma, Lukulu, Kasempa, Mumbwa, Mulobezi and Itezhi-Tezhi to keep them from destroying peace in the nation.
“The Nkoyas also resolved that the two Lozi chiefs imposed on the Nkoyas at Naliele and Namayula be withdrawn forthwith. The Nkoya chiefs to be recognised are Chief Kahale and Mutondo as senior chiefs,” Mr Kalihongo said.
Nkoya Royal Establishment chairperson Edwin Nkomesha described the call for secession as primitive and selfish coined to enrich a few people through the collection of royalties from non-Lozi-speaking people.
“All well-meaning Lozi-speaking people should join us in rejecting this call,” Mr Nkomesha said.
Chief Moomba of Southern Province, whose area falls within Barotseland, said a meeting took place last week in his area to discuss the BNC’S resolutions and the people rejected the call for secession.
Chief Mwene Kangombe of the Nkoya-speaking people in Kasempa District said both Northern Rhodesia and Barotseland were buried on Independence Day in 1964 and the debate was archaic.
As he addressed the crowd of about 3,000 people, his indunas displayed a banner that read “One Zambia one nation for ever”.
Chief Fututu of Lukulu District called on the Government to facilitate the removal of all BRE sub-chiefs in Lukulu, including Kabangu, Lianganga and Mayankwa.
Fact File:
September 29, 2011
President Sata appoints a nine-member commission of inquiry to probe the January 14, 2011 riots in Mongu and pardons all the people who were arrested by the police over the incident.
February 23, 2012
President Sata tells chairperson of the commission of inquiry appointed to probe the chaos in Mongu that left 19 people dead that he was reluctant to restore the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.
March 27-28, 2012
The Barotse National Council (BNC) meets and resolves to secede from the rest of Zambia citing the abrogation of the 1964 Barotseland Agreement by the then government of Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
March 29, 2012
Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni warns that the resolutions were treasonable, especially that they bordered on the formation of a State within a State. Vice-President Guy Scott tells Parliament the same day that the resolutions were irresponsible and unacceptable.
March 31, 2012
Police in Mongu warn and caution the Ngambela Wainyae Sinyinda and Induna Mukulwakashiko Batuke Imenda over the resolutions by the council which, among others, proposed self-rule for Western Province.
April 5, 2012
Police in Western Province uncover a plot in which Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) chairperson Nyambe Namushi, 63, and a local business person Raymond Mukanda were allegedly linked to the recruitment of retired police offices to form the Barotse police wing.
April 4, 2012
Ngambela Sinyinda tells Times of Zambia agitation for secessionism should be stopped to pave way for dialogue but denies his own story, saying he never spoke to the newspaper.
April 7, 2012
The Nkoya and Kazanga groups who cover two districts in Western Province convene their National council to disown calls for secessionism.
File: Princess Nakatindi Wina (l) and her husband Sikota Wina before a press briefing at their resident in Lusaka
The late Princess Nakatindi Wina has been accorded a State funeral, Secretary to the Cabinet, Evans Chibiliti has said.
Mr Chibiliti said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the Government had sent Minister of Gender and Child Development, Inonge Wina to South Africa to be with the bereaved family.
Mr Chibiliti said arrangements were being made in consultation with the family to bring the body back to Zambia.
Princess Nakatindi, who served the country in various capacities, including that of minister of Community Development and Social Welfare between 1993 and 1994, was evacuated by the Government last month to South Africa’s Milpark Hospital for specialist treatment.
“Late Princess Nakatindi Wina who died on Thursday in South Africa has been accorded a State funeral by Government. The Government has sent Gender Minister, Inonge Wina to South Africa to be with the bereaved family while arrangements are being made in consultation with the family to bring her body back home as soon as possible,” Mr Chibiliti said.
And messages of condolences have come in over the death of Princess Nakatindi, with freedom fighter Mama Chibesa Kankasa describing her as a great influence in shaping Zambia’s politics.
Mama Kankasa said she was greatly saddened by the dea th of the princess and called on women in Zambia to turn out in numbers to mourn her.
She said she had known Princess Nakatindi as a humble and dedicated person and called on the family, in particular her husband, Sikota
Wina, to remain strong during the trying moment of bereavement.
“I was shocked to hear of her death, the country has lost a great woman who was influential in shaping the country’s political life.
Zambia has been robbed of a daughter who played a critical role in Zambia’s revolution,” she said.
She said young women in Zambia could learn a lot from Princess Nakatindi’s life and the commitment she exhibited as a wife and a
mother. United Liberal Party (ULP) president, Sakwiba Sikota said the princess’ death was very sad both for the nation and at a personal
level.
“She was my cousin and it is very sad that she has died. She was a person who will be remembered for her selflessness. She accommodated
anyone and helped many people, that is the kind of person she was.
“She fitted in with anyone. She came from a family of political activism and she contributed to bringing democracy in this country.
Princess Nakatindi will be greatly missed,” Mr Sikota said.
A pupil from Luanshya Copper Mines on the business end of a rock ban and Maheu food drink after an energetic performance during the re-opening of Luanshya Copper mines. Zambia Dec 2009
Mining has for many years single handedly driven the Zambian economy with copper being the protagonist among the several metals in the country.
Up until 2008, there has been no examining eye which had been laid on the books of accounts to check mine companies’ income and taxes paid to or received by Government. The first Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative report for Zambia was targeted for 2008, a year that was one of the most challenging for both Government and the mining companies.
The reconciliation exercise was undertaken to help the Zambian Government identify the contribution that the extractive industry is making to the economic and social development of the country. In turn, this will help the Government to realize the potential the mineral resources have to the country through improved resource governance.
EITI is a global initiative that promotes better governance in countries rich in oil, gas and minerals and seeks to reduce the risk of diversion or misappropriation of funds generated by the development of a country’s extractive industry resources.
In 2008, the Government complained that mining companies were not paying enough taxes and then introduced a windfall tax but that was hit badly as the global financial recession battered the mining industry. This saw copper prices plummeting to one of the lowest points ever and subsequently saw several jobs being lost, investment in mining dwindling, while some mines were completely abandoned.
Performance of the sector was reflected in the first EITI Reconciliation Report based on 2008 audited accounts in February 2011.
The report revealed huge discrepancies in terms of how much the mines claimed to have paid to the Government and how much the Government’s receiving agencies confirmed to have received. With public attention focused heavily on the EITI, the 2009 report had to produce better results knowing all mines would have to be at their best as well as Government wings to avoid being exposed on the handling of public resources.
In Zambia, the mining industry has been the economic and social backbone of the economy and it is ranked as the world’s seventh largest producer of copper and the second largest producer of cobalt. Its contribution in terms of the total exports reached USD 822 million despite the country being heavily reliant on the mining of copper and cobalt but efforts now are being focused on diversifying the economy into an industrial and manufacturing base. In addition, the Zambian economy has been growing at an average rate of 6% in recent years with real Gross Domestic Product growth of about 6.6% in 2011.
Zambia published its second reconciliation report covering the 2009 financial accounts which disclosed the extractive industries’ contribution to the Zambian economy amounting to ZMK 2.6 trillion for the period under review. It is important to note that the Government reported receipts are K31.4 billion less than the extractive mining companies reportedly paid to Government in the 2009 as stated in the reconciliation report.
Mr Moore Stephens an independent reconciliator, Konkola Copper Mines Plc declared taxes amounting to ZMK 729.2 billion as compared to ZMK 726.5 billion in receipts with the Government resulting in a difference of ZMK 2.75 billion.
Mopani Copper Mine’s payment was less by ZMK 11.8 billion from what was receipted by Government and Lumwana Mining Company Limited paid a total of ZMK 229.2 billion and Government received ZMK 227.5 billion highlighting a discrepancy of ZMK 1.7 billion. NFC Africa Mining Plc paid a total of ZMK 105.8 billion to Government agencies on the other hand the Government receipted ZMK 107.9 billion with a difference of ZMK 3.8 billion.
The report observed that Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings paid ZMK 9, 1 55 million and Government received ZMK 9,188 million. Nevertheless, the number of extractive companies identified in the scoping study conducted was significantly higher than the number of extractive companies reconciled during the first EITI reconciliation exercise.
In the 2009 reconciliation report, a total of 28 extractive companies were covered as compared to 16 in the previous report, a sign that the code of secrecy’ had been decoded and laid done away with. The extractive companies selected amounted to approximately 99 per cent of the total mineral taxes received by the Zambia Revenue Authority in the 2009 report.
Kansanshi Mining Plc under reported a total of ZMK 639,792 million and Government reported to have received ZMK 641,396 million from Kansanshi Mine recording a discrepancy of ZMK 1,604 million.
As well, First Quantum Mining and Operations Limited under reported ZMK 226,039 million compared to 228,597 million received by ZRA with Chibuluma Mines under reporting ZMK 62,937 million and Government claiming to have received a higher figure of ZMK 63,559 million respectively.
