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File: ZCCM-IH board chairman Alfred Lungu and Chinese Tao Xinghu sigh documents for the co-development of Mufulira tailings.
ZCCM-Investments Holding Plc (ZCCM-IH) has made a part payment of US$55 million towards the pre- privatisation loans owed to Government. The group has also achieved a turnover of K891,764 million during the six-month period ended September 2011 which is 212 percent above the turnover of K265,896 million for six months recorded on September 30, 2010.
This is according to unaudited results for the six-month period ended September 30, 2011 released by company secretary Chabby Chabala. Mr Chabala said the money owed to Government was paid during the period under review.
He also said the company turnover is 212 percent up compared to K285, 896 million for the six months to September 30, 2010. Mr Chabala attributed the increase mainly to a profit of K699, 137 million proceeds of K802, 357 million (US$167,507 million) less cost of K103, 220 million from the sale of shares in Equinox Minerals Limited.
He, however, said the turnover for Ndola Lime Company (NLC) at K105, 254 million declined 41 percent from that of the same period in 2010. He said the decrease is largely due to the shutdown of the rotary kiln on account of a breakdown of the electrostatic precipitator.
“With only the vertical kiln being operational, there was reduced production which in turn resulted in reduced turnover and cost of sales compared to that for the period ended September 30, 2010,” he said.
Meanwhile, ZCCM-IH also says events in the Euro Zone are likely to impact adversely on global commodity demand and prices. Mr Chabala said with lesson learnt from the global financial crisis, a number of mining companies have kept a close watch on unit production costs in order to better manage base metal price fluctuations.
“We are keenly observing events in the Euro Zone and the effects being made to address them,” he said.
ZCCM-IH is an investment holdings company which is quoted on the Lusaka, London and Euronext Stock exchanges, and has the majority of its investments held in the copper mining sector of Zambia.
The company’s shareholders are the Government of the Republic of Zambia with 87.6 per cent shareholding while private equity holders take up 12.4 per cent. Minority shareholders are spread throughout the world in various locations.
The Nkoya Royal Council and the Kazanga Cultural Association have disassociated themselves from secession calls by the Barotse National Council.
Council Chairman Edwin Nkomesha told ZNBC that the National Council was not a true gathering of all stakeholders of the people of Western Province especially the Nkoya speaking people.
And Kazanga Cultural Association National Chairman Lytone Kaushiku said his association will not support people who are bent on bringing chaos and confusion in the country.
And Vice President Guy Scott says the resolutions of the Barotse National Council-BNC to break away from Zambia was taken by a group of people who gave themselves the preserve to speak for the entire province.
Dr. Ssott says the resolutions from the seven districts were stage managed.
The Vice President said this in parliament on Wednesday when he presented a comprehensive statement on the situation in Western Province.
[ZNBC]
Director of public prosecutions-DPP-Mutembo Nchito has been ordered to appear in court and explain why he is holding on to a docket of a case involving former mines minster, Maxwell Mwale.
Lusaka chief resident magistrate, Joshua Banda ordered that Mr. Nchito appears in his court tomorrow after state prosecutors applied for a forth adjournment saying the docket was still with the DPP.
Magistrate Banda says adjournments are allowed for the sake of justice but that adjourning a matter four times on the same reason is way too much and unacceptable.
He says he needs an explanation from Mr. Nchito as to what is causing delay in expediting trial.
In this matter Mr. Mwale is facing one count of theft by public servant of 245 bicycles.
Clement Sinyinda in traditional gear Ngambela of Barosteland
The Ngambela Wainyae Sinyinda has vowed to die over the resolutions of the Barotse National council meeting. He said that he is ready to face arrest, torture or even get killed like the 19 people that were killed in the January 14, 2011 Mongu riots.
The Ngambela added that the people of Barotseland will not fight using arms but will fight with their brains.
And the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has said that it will not take intimidation from government. Reacting to Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni’s threats the BRE has since advised the Minister to restrain himself from intimidating the people of Barotseland.
BRE Ngambela, Wainyae Sinyinda has however vowed that Barotseland is determined to defend the resolutions of the Barotse National Council to a bitter end with or without intimidation.
He has stressed that no amount of intimidation will cripple the peaceful disengagement of Barotseland from Zambia.
The Ngambela said that Mr. Sakeni is wrong to insinuate that most members of the council are former ministers. Mr. Sinyinda advised Mr. Sakeni that intimidation may result in something undesirable considering the tension currently in Barotseland.
The Ngambela was speaking to MUVI TV News in Limulunga Mongu yesterday.
On Tuesday the BNC resolved to nullify the Barotse Land agreement of 1964 while it has since been resolved that Barotseland breaks away from Zambia.
Meanwhile, the Kazanga Cultural Association and Nkoya Royal Council have described the Lozis as shameless liars.
The two organizations have maintained that claims by the Baroste National Council BNC that seven districts which includes Kaoma have agreed to secede from Zambia are not true.
Kazanga Cultural Association Chairperson Edwin Nkomeshya has charged that the BNC did not represent all stakeholders in Western province.
He has accused the Barotse Royal Establishment of running a kangaroo traditional structure in Kaoma and Lukulu districts.
DR. Congo giants TP Mazembe’s local rivals St. Eloi Lupopo captain Diddy Kitumbo says Power Dynamos should expect a tough CAF Champions League first round return match in Lubumbashi next week.
Power travels to Lubumbashi next week for the second leg tie after holding Mazembe to a 1-1 draw in Kitwe last Saturday.
Speaking to LT Sports in Kitwe, where Lupopo have set up a week-long training camp, Kitumbo said by now Power must understand Mazembe’s style of play.
“The coach (Power coach Fordson Kabole ) saw how Mazembe played, let him work on the weaknesses he noticed but the match will be tough,” he said through an interpreter.
Kitumbo,however, declined to say much about the Power-Mazembe return match saying he is just a player.
Meanwhile, Lupopo,down 4-2 from the first leg, are in Kitwe preparing for next week’s CAF Confederations Cup first round return match against South Africa’s Black Leopards.
The Lubumbashi side is tomorrow scheduled to play a friendly against Kitwe United.
FAZ Division One North side Mufulira Blackpool have re-appointed ex-Chipolopolo defender Allan Kamwanga as team head coach.
Blackpool Chairperson Zakeyo Mbao has confirmed to LT Sports in Kitwe.
Kamwanga begun his second tenure at Kachofa Staduim on Sunday when his side beat Division One North debutants Mumbwa Medics 1-0 in a week one encounter played in Kamuchanga.
The former Mighty Mufulira Wanderers hard-tackler, who has previously served as Blackpool coach has taken over the mantle from Steven Mwansa who has joined his childhood club Ndola United as head coach.
Almost a season ago Kamwanga was demoted to assistant coach following the engagement of Mwansa.
Like any other coach in Division One, Kamwanga has a task of helping Blackpool to bounce back to the elite league.
Government has said that the resolutions of the Barotse National Council for Western Province to secede from Zambia are irresponsible and unacceptable.
Vice President Guy Scott who presented a ministerial statement on the matter in parliament today said Government will not abdicate its responsibility as custodian of the interest of the Zambian people.
Dr Scott said that secession is a serious issue which should not be connected to the Barotseland agreement or failure to restore the agreement.
He said that the resolutions of from the seven districts in western province for secession were a stage managed and orchestrated affair with no proof of adequate consultation.
He added that government insists that the resolutions by the BNC to breakaway from the rest of Zambia would have to be considered by all the people of Zambia through a process that involves elaborate and credible consultation.
The Vice President said the resolutions of the BNC have severe consequences and ramifications if not correctly managed.
Dr Scott has further stated that government will rise to the challenge of protecting the lives of people and property.
He has since appealed for calm in the country and continued dialogue with the Barotse Royal Establishment.
And Dr Scott said government is ready to engage with any serious and well intentioned party on the Barotseland issue.
He pointed out that the fact that the Barotse National Council was allowed to peacefully take place for two days is evidence of the PF Government’s attitude towards freedom of speech, freedom expression and freedom of expression.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda has complained over the imposition of Yellow Fever certificate requirements on Zambia by South Africa.
Mr. Lubinda said issues of travel restrictions relating to Yellow Fever have negatively affected the growth of tourism in Southern Africa and Zambia in particular.
The Minister was speaking today in an interview with ZANIS in Mauritius.
He has said that he will use the 48th Regional Tourism Organization in Southern Africa conference, RETOSA, which opens tomorrow in Mauritius to engage his tourism counterparts over the issue.
Mr. Lubinda said Zambia’s tourism had suffered tremendously because of South Africa’s demand that all people who transit through South Africa to Zambia and vice versa must have Yellow Fever certificates.
He was disappointed that even when the area affected by Yellow Fever was a very small location in the North Western part of the country and the rest of Zambia had since been declared a Yellow Fever free Zone by the World Health Organization.
Business in Mongu has gone on as usual and undisturbed a day after delegates to the just ended two day Barotse National Council meeting proposed a break-away of Western Province from the rest of the country.
A ZNBC news crew that went on a spot check of businesses in Mongu found operations going on smoothly with all people going about with their daily chores.
And Western Province Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge has urged people in the region to avoid being lured into actions that may bring them in conflict with the law.
Mr Siandenge has told ZNBC news in Mongu that the situation has remained normal and that police officers will remain alert at all times to ensure law and order prevail.
He also cautioned people against issuing any statements that may be at variance with the law.
Mr. Siandenge says there is no need for excitement among people because all resolutions at the just ended Barotse National Council have NO effect on the existing laws.
And Calls for the secession of Western Province will not be entertained because the proposal is treasonable.
And the government will not allow the creation of a state within a state and any act to divide the country on tribal lines will attract the wrath of the law.
This is the reaction of the Minister of Home Affairs following resolutions announced on Tuesday at the end of a two day Barotse National Council meeting in Mongu.
Kennedy Sakeni also declared the resolutions of the two day meeting by the Barotse National Council as illegal and urged the people behind it to stop pushing the matter.
Above, the President with Lucky Exports director Diwakar Mishra in Ahmedabad, Gujarat West India, yesterday.
Zambia’s President Michael Sata today held an investment meeting with Business Executives from MOHAN EXPORTS, an internationally renowned agricultural-equipment manufacturer that is prepared to set up a tractor assembly plant in Zambia which will also serve as a distributing point for the Southern African region.
According to the press statement by his assistant for press George Chellah, the President noted that, the presence of a tractor assembly plant in Zambia will not only benefit commercial farmers but also target peasant farmers who will be able to hire tractors and increase their crop hectarage.
The Head of State said people who have invested in Zambia have never regretted and assured MOHAN EXPORTS of his Government’s support in facilitating the establishment of an assembly and distribution plant.
Mr. Sata was speaking in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, West India, during a business engagement with MOHAN EXPORT General Manager Mr. P.K Malhotra and Deputy Managing Director Mr. K. Anand.
The company is an internationally renowned agricultural-equipment manufacturer and assembles tractors under the brand name- Malhotra. Once established in Zambia the company will create a projected 400 direct jobs and over 5000 indirect jobs.
President Sata who met the two Business Executives in his continued efforts to woo investors to Zambia was flanked by Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Ms. Susan Sikaneta and First Secretary for Press & Tourism at the Zambian Mission Mr. Bwalya Nondo.
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema says the Patriotic Front Government should take responsibility of the turn of events in Western Province were seven districts have resolved to breakaway from the rest of Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema says there is clearly no doubt that there is a problem in the province which he says was allowed to degenerate by the PF’s perceived poor leadership.
In an exclusive telephone interview with QFM, Mr. Hakainde says President Michael Sata and his government should learn a lesson that deception does solve problems but only worsens the situation.
He however states that it is not too late for the PF Government to find an amicable solution to the problem.
The UPND leader has advised President Sata to come out in the open and apologize to the people of western province for betraying them over the Barotseland Agreement.
Mr. Hichilema says what the government needs to do after apologizing, is to engage in dialogue with leaders of the Barotseland and all well meaning political leaders in seeking a resolution on the matter.
He has however stated that Zambia should continue to be a unitary state while leaders in government should also ensure that development is spread to all parts of the country to avoid divisions.
[QFM]
Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) President Fred Mutesa
Statement by the Zambians for Empowerment and Development (ZED) on the Resolutions of the Barotse National Council held from 26-27th March 2012
We note with grave concern the resolution by the Barotse National Council to break away from Zambia. We wish to appeal to all Zambians to avoid letting run unrestrained emotions that can only compound the issue at hand.
In particular, we hope that the PF government will show true leadership as it works on preserving the indivisible unity of our great nation. At the end of the day, there is more to be achieved if we remain a united, stable and peaceful nation. But we are also conscious of the fact that lasting unity, peace and stability, can only be built on a firm foundation of justice, righteousness and compassion.
All parts of our great nation must be proud to belong to Zambia because they are treated with equity and respect.
We take cognizance of the fact that the PF government of President Michael Sata has a constitutional mandate to govern Zambia until the next elections due in 2016. This mandate was legally acquired through democratic elections conducted in every constituency of Zambia,including those in Western provinces.
The people of Western province,like their brothers and sisters in the rest of the country, chose to exercise their constitutional right to vote for leaders and political parties of their choice. That is why every constituency in Western province is today represented by Members of Parliament in our National Assembly.
We are also conscious that every political party that took part in the 20 September 2011 tripartite elections entered into some kind of social contract with the electorate based on pledges of what they would do for the people if voted into office. We are aware that in Western province in particular, some political parties, including the PF, among other things, promised the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964.
It appears that the resolution of the Barotse National Council to break away from Zambia stems directly from the perception that the PF in government has made a u-turn and reneged on this promise.
One lesson to learn from what has transpired regarding the Barotseland issue is that politicians must not make careless statements which they have no intentions of keeping for the sake of gaining political mileage. There is also a lesson for the electorate, which is that every promise given by politicians must not be taken at face-value.
Going forward, we wish to remind the nation that the Barotseland issue did not begin with the PF government of President Michael Sata. In as
much as we do not agree with the PF’s lack of policy consistency on the issue, we wish to take note that President Sata has taken some positive steps on this issue which have given hope that dialogue can still succeed to resolve the matter amicably.
President Sata unconditionally released the Barotse activists who were detained by the previous MMD government. He also invited the aggrieved parties
over Barotseland to state house to discuss the matter. He also constituted a commission of enquiry to investigate the reasons that led to the riots of January 2011.
We disagreed with his off- the cuff remarks when he received the report of the commission of enquiry that he would be reluctant to implement the recommendation to restore the Agreement of 1964. In our view he should have allowed his cabinet to study the report before stating his opinion on the matter. All the same, we believe that President Sata has not come back to the nation with his cabinet’s official position on the matter.
We therefore find it difficult to sympathise with the resolution of the Barotse National Council. In our view, they have not exhausted all the avenues of dialogue open to them to find an amicable solution to their problem. We therefore regard the resolution to break away as a mere bargaining stance by the Barotse National Council. We feel that the resolution to break-away falls short of addressing important realities that have taken place since the Barotseland Agreement was signed in 1964.
Many Lozi speaking people have intermarried with other ethnic groups in Zambia. Many others do not even reside within the borders of Western province. Many more others have been key architects of the Zambian political system which they have contributed to construct at the highest level. We need not remind the nation that Lozi speaking peoples have served in high-ranking positions in successive Zambian governments, including three times as prime
minister of Zambia.
At one time, even the Litunga was a member of the central committee of UNIP. Simply stated, Zambia has evolved and we have become one people, though speaking different languages.
Moreover, we are aware that Western province is not ethnically homogenous. It consists of many groups that add to the richness of our linguistic and cultural diversity. Some of these groups spill into other provinces, particularly North-Western province.
Therefore,breaking away from Zambia by any of its constituent parts can’t be a viable option. It fails to take into account the fact that Zambia of
today is very different from the Zambia of 1964. The challenge for the representatives of the people is to address any perceived injustices
and redress inequities within the system so that we create a just and fair society.
In conclusion, we wish to appeal to all Zambians to refrain from making inflammatory statements that can only serve to worsen an already bad situation. Let us avoid stereotyping our Lozi-speaking brothers and sisters because they are not any worse than any other group. There are many Lozis speakers who are capable of so much good.
Many Lozi speaking people fought for the freedom of Zambia and many others have served this nation with distinction. Statements such as,
“they can go, besides they have no resources to make it on their own,” only serve to fuel hostilities. Every people are proud of their ethnic identity and homes, regardless of what they have or do not have. Such statements have the effect of stirring up strong emotions that obscure rational thinking and drive even level-headed people into extremism.
The only people who profit from such situations are opportunists who don’t care whether blood is shed as long as they profit from the arising chaos. The nation must watch-out for such elements and not give them an opportunity to unleash their evil upon the nation. They may be found among the Lozi speakers, as well as,within the ranks of non-lozi speakers in government.
With this, we would like to caution the government of President Sata to avoid falling into the trap of those who would like to disrupt the ethnic
harmony and peace which we have enjoyed since independence. The PF government must be tolerant, firm and fair in the discharge of its mandate to govern Zambia with justice.
Dr. Fredrick Mutesa
President, Zambians for Empowerment and Development
United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has said that the Patriotic Front Government should take responsibility of the turn of events in Western Province were seven districts have resolved to breakaway from the rest of Zambia.
Mr. Hichilema said that there is clearly no doubt that there is a problem in the province which he said was allowed to degenerate by the PF’s perceived poor leadership.
In an exclusive telephone interview with QFM, Mr. Hakainde said that President Michael Sata and his government should learn a lesson that deception does solve problems but only worsens the situation.
He however stated that it is not too late for the PF Government to find an amicable solution to the problem.
The UPND leader has advised President Sata to come out in the open and apologize to the people of western province for betraying them over the Barotseland Agreement.
Mr. Hichilema said that what the government needs to do after apologizing, is to engage in dialogue with leaders of the Barotseland and all well meaning political leaders in seeking a resolution on the matter.
He has however stated that Zambia should continue to be a unitary state while leaders in government should also ensure that development is spread to all parts of the country to avoid divisions.
A nurse at Kitwe Central Hospital appeared in Kitwe Magistrate Court and narrated how she was beaten up by two men who had brought a patient at the hospital.
Appearing before Kitwe Magistrate Densen Muchaba, Cecilia Kalonga 29, narrated that on March 7, she was working on a night shift from Luapula ward when a patient died from the ward and she went to inform the doctor down stairs.
Ms Kalonga said on her way back from seeing the doctor, she came across a group of people who were shouting and insulting nurses who later turned on her threatening that they were going to beat her up.
She narrated that she later explained to them that she was not operating from the Out –Patient Department but they did not listen to her and later the two accused started beating her up accusing her of negligence.
She added that the two men punched her on the head, back and chest and threw away her wig and was only rescued by one of the two men’s relative.
Ms Kalonga further narrated that she sustained injuries and rushed to the security guard who reported the matter to the police who later arrested the two men.
And a witness who was working with Ms Kalonga in the same ward, told the court that she heard noise downstairs and decided to call her colleague on her mobile phone but Ms Kalonga answered in between sobs and said she had been beaten by two men.
The two accused denied the assault charge slapped on them when they appeared for plea before Magistrate Muchaba who found them with a case to answer.
Particulars of the matter are that on March 7, 2012, Felix Mulenga, 25 and Silas Chintu, 32 of house number M65 Chamboli in Kitwe jointly and whilst acting together did assault Cecilia Kalonga 29 of house number 13 Geddis street Nkana East thereby causing occasioning bodily harm contrary to section 248 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Magistrate Muchaba has since set April 7, this year for commencement of trial on the accused.
