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Kansanshi Mines PLC, in Solwezi district of the Northwestern Province, has refuted accusations by sections of society in the area that it is mistreating its workers.
But Anti Voter Apathy Project ( AVAP ) Executive Director Bonnie Tembo confirmed the reported abuse of Zambian miners saying in most instances, the unfortunate miners working at the gold section of the mine especially, are abused before knocking off.
Speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview, today, Mr Msiska said that the reports of workers’ abuse at the country’s biggest mine were untrue.
He said Kansanshi Mine PLC is a renowned international mining company that is determined to maintain international standards of mine operations, one of them being looking after workers’ welfare.
” We are very responsible as Kansanshi Mines. Yes we mine gold. And we are proud to say that we are up to date with paying Tax to the national treasury, but we do not abuse our workers,” Mr Msiska said.
However, Mr Tembo said that it is true that Zambian mine workers at Kansanshi Mine were being abused by management at the Solwezi based mine.
The AVAP Executive Diriector told ZANIS in a walk in interview in Lusaka , today, that he came back from Solwezi where his organisation held a voters exercise meeting.
He said some of the participants during the same meeting had complained that either themselves or their relatives and friends working at the mine were abused by Kansanshi Mine PLC management.
Mr Tembo said local mine workers in the country will continue to expirience labour at the hands of new mine owners as long as government continues detouching itself from owning some of the mines in the country.
Pointing to concerns being expressed by local stakeholders alleging that the mining industry has not benefited ordinary Zambian citizens, Mr Tembo emphasized that as long as there is no government ownership of the mines, ordinary Zambians should not expect to benefit from the current mining activities in the country.
Zesco United failed to make good of home advantage today when they were held to a scoreless draw by six-time African club champions Al Ahly a the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola.
The end of the road could be near for Zesco in this year’s Caf champions League unless they can cause a historic upset in Cairo in a fortnight’s time in the second round, return leg where no Zambia club has ever won a Caf club cup match.
The first half was a see-saw affair with very little in terms of major goal action.
There was an antithesis in terms of tactics with the diminutive Zesco players preferring the long and high balls while Al Ahly, despite their imposing stature, kept the ball on the floor.
Zesco were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute after exhausting their substitutes when striker Alfred Luputa limped off just minutes after the team lost defender Billy Mwanza also due to injury and was replaced by Rogers Kamwandi.
However, Zesco did have chances despite their numerical deficiencies on the pitch when Clifford Chipalo and Kamwandi missed in quick succession in the 82 minute with acres of space that would have seen the take a vital goal away to Cairo.
Zesco kept up the pressure with striker Jackson Mwanza’s point-blank range header saved by Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud in the 87th minute before Portipher Zulu shot went marginally high two minutes later.
Zambia Police Spokesperson, Ndandula Siamana-more police officers deployed to Mansa
THE Zambia Police Service has refuted a story carried by The Post in its Thursday edition that police officers shot dead two people during a four-day riot which resulted in the death of five people following rumours of suspected ritual killings.
The riots caused damage to property and looting of goods worth billions of Kwacha.
Police Service public relations officer Ndandula Siamana said no police officer was allowed to carry firearms as they went on duty to quell the riots.
Ms Siamana said in a statement issued in Lusaka on April 22 that the Police command deployed 300 officers in Mansa to beef up the existing local manpower and that no person was shot dead by police officers who were maintaining law and order in the area.
She said 220 people were arrested in connection with the riots in Mansa and will be charged with offences ranging from murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, theft and malicious damage to property. The suspects will appear in court soon.
And the Police have intensified both foot and motorised patrols within local communities and on highways countrywide during the Easter Holiday.
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde said in a statement released in Lusaka on April 22 that the police will not relent in ensuring that law and order are maintained in the country during and after Easter.
“We will pursue those breaking the law so that law-abiding citizens enjoy a peaceful holiday,” Mr Kabonde said.
He urged members of the public to co-operate with the police who have been deployed on the streets to help prevent road traffic accidents.
Mr Kabonde urged motorists to observe road signs, markings and speed limits to avoid accidents and show courtesy to other road users.
MMD acting national Scretary Chembe Nyangu stretching
MMD deputy national secretary Chembe Nyangu has said President Banda will not be pressured to announce the election date as he would do so at the right time.
Mr Nyangu said in an interview in Lusaka on April 21 that Mr Banda will announce the polling date when the time comes.
“Announcing the election date is the prerogative of the President and no-one should pressure him to make this announcement,” he said.
Mr Nyangu said previous Presidents were not pressured to announce the polling date because this is a privilege of the Head of State which has been in place for a long time.
He said Mr Banda will not announce the election date for the sake of pleasing certain people.
“The MMD and Mr Banda will not make decisions to please a few individuals who do not even appreciate the developments the party has initiated.
These people, especially some Catholic bishops, do not appreciate anything. Even if Mr Banda announces the date today, they will still criticise the decision,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said Zambians should respect Mr Banda’s administration and its decision not to hastily announce the polling date.
And Mr Nyangu said it is sad that Ndola Catholic Bishop Alick Banda has failed to appreciate President Banda’s directive to write off outstanding balances on over 3, 386 housing units on the Copperbelt.
He said Bishop Banda can afford to criticiseMr Banda’s decision because the church accommodates him for free.
“Bishop Banda’s comments are unfounded and unfortunate. We expect people like him to support initiatives intended to promote the welfare of the needy,” Mr Nyangu said.
He said it is unfortunate that Bishop Banda does not want to support Government’s decisions intended to empower poor people.
Mr Nyangu said Bishop Banda’s comment is a clear indication that the clergyman does not care for people, especially the needy
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) intends to spend US $ 295 million to sink a syclinorium shaft at its Nkana mine site in Kitwe .
MCM chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said with this investment, the mining company is expecting to increase its production and extend the life span of the mine by another 25 years.
Mr Mutati said this when he briefed deputy mines minister Jazzman Chikwakwa on the current projects the mine intends to under take.
He said this project once commissioned in the first quarter of 2015 will create about 600 jobs.
Mr Mutati said Mopani has to inject $295 US to extend the mining operations which would have closed by 2015 if there was no investment.
He stated preliminary works on the sinking of the shaft has started and actual works would commence next year.
ZANIS reports that the syclinorium shaft will be operating at 1, 200 level below surface and is expected to produce 115 million tonnes of ore per year.
Mr Mutati also told the deputy minister that the MCM will invest about one billion United States dollars into the Nkana smelter in the next five years as way of improving its capacity.
He said there has been an overwhelming need to invest in the smelter because the new mining firms such as Kansanshi bring its copper ore for processing at MCM.Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe
He added that operations at the North Shaft at Nkana mine site will close in three years time but will not have any bearing on the mine operations since it is a small shaft producing 500,000 tonnes of ore per year.
Mr. Mutati said Mopani has made a capital investment of 1.2 billion dollars in its operations since it started mining activities at Nkana and Mufulira mine sites.
And Mr Chikwakwa said government was happy with the massive investment at MCM.
He said government has a responsibility of consolidating peace in the country so that the investment is secured and sustained for the future.
The deputy minister said the mining industry has a future that needs a stable government to continue creating conducive environment for the mines.
He said the investment at MCM has demonstrated that it has the capacity to sustain the mines and advised mining firms to blend local and foreign investment in their operations.
Former Church of God overseer Bishop John Mambo has charged that the gesture by president Rupiah Banda to write off outstanding balances to over 3000 housing units will not influence the voter outcome.
Bishop Mambo says that it is not the first time that a ruling government is showing a gesture to the Zambians when the country will be heeding to the polls.
Bishop Mambo says that the issue of the housing units on the Copperbelt should not be politicized as is the case at the moment.
In an interview with QFM radio, Bishop Mambo stated that the president should be commended for the goodwill he has shown to the residents of the Copperbelt.
He added that if the Zambians want change of government, it will take place despite the perceived inducement by those in power.
He observes that the current political environment indicates that Zambians cannot be influenced by any political gift.
He has however observed that president Banda’s move on the housing units has been done at a wrong time.
He wonders why the president never took such an action some time back, but had to wait for the elections period to make his gesture.
President Rupiah Banda and First lady Thandiwe Banda yesterday hosted an Easter luncheon at state house for the Visiting Veteran United States constructive surgeon Joseph Clawson.
Dr Clawson , who is in the country at the invitation of President Banda, has been conducting surgical operations at Beit Cure Hospital in Lusaka and he will be living the country on Saturday back to the United States.
President Banda expressed appreciation to DR Clawson that he was able to accept his invitation to conduct surgery in Zambia.
Dr Clawson was accompanied by Beit Cure Hospital ( BCH ) board chairperson Larry Kalala , Nero Surgeon Dr Kachinga Sichizya and Dr Cannius Banda.
President Banda said during his visit to BCH this week that he was touched by what he saw on CNN Television channel where Dr Clawson was shown performing a complicated surgery operation on a child patient at the same hospital.
It was during the same visit that the Head of State decreed that government was going to take over payment of the health institution’s Doctors and nurses’ salaries.
The BCH management has all along dependant on well wishers and donors to pay salaries for its workers.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has advised government to heed to the Oasis Forum’s advice of relieving republican vice president George Kunda off his duties.
TIZ President Rueben Lifuka says Mr. George Kunda, who is also Justice Minister, should take responsibility for the failed constitution as he has been at the helm of the whole process that was widely unaccepted by society.
Mr. Lifuka says the failure by to take responsibility will give an impression that public resources can be wasted and no one can be held accountable.
In an interview with QFM, Mr. Lifuka says TIZ still stands by its early call on Mr. Kunda to resign as his resignation will send a strong signal to anyone who will take charge of the constitution making process that it is a serious national process which needs to be addresses in a non-partisan manner.
Recently, the Oasis Forum demanded the resignation of republican vice president George Kunda for failing Zambians on the constitution making process and advised government to constitute a lean committee to deliberate on the Mung’omba draft constitution to see the way forward.
The Patriotic Front has described the extension of the suspension of the Lusaka city council as witch hunting.
Patriotic front chairman for local government and housing Given Lubinda says it is unfortunate that the local government has extended the suspension.
MR. Lubinda questions the motive behind the LCC suspension adding that government has a hidden agenda.
He states that the extension clearly reflects that the MMD government has entered the witch hunting phase in the run up to the elections.
Mr. Lubinda has since expressed confidence that the truth will come out despite government’s attempt to witch hunt political opponents.
He has further wondered why the minister of local government and housing has extended the suspension of the council when he earlier stated that investigations will take about 60 days.
In January this year, Minister of Local Government and Housing, Brian Chituwo announced the suspension of the council following reports that the local authority has been involved in some land allocation scams.
Dr Chituwo said Government decided to suspend LCC to pave way for investigations into the alleged illegal land allocation.
The Lusaka City Council has been accused of illegally allocating land to itself without following the law governing the allocation of land.
Out of 102 plots, the councilors got 45 plots, 10 plots were given to the Mayor while the deputy Mayor got five plots and members of the public were only allocated 11 plots.
Quick action by the Nakonde District Council’s Fire Brigade and the local people of Chilolwa in Nakonde district last night saved a truck from being burnt to ashes.
Scania truck carrying steel from the port of Dar-es-salaam caught fire following a tyre burst.
Fire fighters fought running battles to save the truck from being totally burnt to ashes.
Driver, Harry Rashid,36, who commended the fire fighters and the local people for their quick response, said he immediately stopped his truck after one of the tyres burst.
” However when I disembarked, I just saw fire coming from tyre. I immediately called for help, ” he said.
Elsewhere, another truck ferrying cooking oil to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR- Congo ) has careered off the road and plunged into a tree almost at the same spot in Chilolwa.
However, no injuries were recorded though several litres of cooking oil has been lost as it spilled on the tarmac.
Police officers quickly rushed to the scene to prevent the goods from being looted and kept vegil over night as they waited for another truck to come.
Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSCO ) spokesperson Simon Mwale says the water utility firm will work tirelessly in ensuring that the sewerage ponds in Garden compound do not result into a disaster in future.
Mr. Mwale said his company has being trying to put up measures to protect the ponds and the lives of people living near the ponds.
He noted that it is unfortunate that people have settled near the sewerage pond a case which has in the past made it difficult for the company to maintain security to the ponds.
The LWSCO spokesperson said his water utility company has in the past discussed the issue of relocating settlers in the area near the ponds but to no avail due to illegal encroachment of the area.
However this problem comes because of the population increase which was not expected at the time the ponds where built.
Mr. Mwale has further said measures of fencing the ponds have also not yielded positive results as there is a high rate of vandalism in the area.
He said his company is aware of property and infrastructure damage within the premises of the sewerage ponds and he has however warned the people who may be involved in such vice to stop as they may be causing a quick alarm to disaster in the near future which may lead to lose of lives.
He however mentioned the encroaching and causing damage of water utility structures and property are big offences which attract conviction of five years imprisonment if one found guilty by the courts of law.
He said under normal circumstances the sewerage ponds have to be located 500 meters away from houses but it is sad that people have in vended that land which poses a danger to human life.
Mongu residents gather at Limilunga to witness the arrival of the Nalikwanda during the Kuomboka ceremony.
By Dr Robert Mtonga
IT is amazing that a profession such as journalism that hitherto was next to nobility has ‘gone to the dog.’ Political activists posing as champions of human, civil and political rights in media circles seem to have gone over the line.
Many in the fractured Press are nothing more than propaganda wings of their sponsors. These colleagues have gathered around themselves all manner of shadowy characters who they call sources and news makers.
A cursory study of these news makers reveals how these citizens hold one thing in common hatred and opposition, in this case, to a common enemy. The jaundiced Press is sleeping around with strange bedfellows sad to say.
While it is within their rights to take sides and weigh-in on national issues, a line must be drawn between genuine critique and unfeigned hatred. As Election Day crawls in slowly but surely the venom being unleashed is so toxic so much so that it is beginning to verge on the psychiatric.
Yes citizens, including journalists are fully entitled to engage and inform debate on national issues. But should they sell their souls for 30 pieces of silver to achieve this? As politicians of all hues and persuasions are lining up to stake their credentials for all to see, journalists, as eyes and ears of the masses of the Zambian people are expected to reflect this into society.
This is as it should be in plural politics. Politicians should also be given ample room to peddle their wares, using as many ways and means as possible to woo would-be voters.
This year’s tripartite elections have provided that occasion when politicians and their supporters go abroad looking for votes, employing every iota of energy to capture the electors.
The aspiration to unseat the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) from Government is a legitimate and universal human right of every Zambian who has the wherewithal to allure voters.
In winning the hearts and souls of the electorate, rules of procedure are important. An Electoral Code of Conduct is not just an ideal thing; it is a vital referee in civilised politics.
When one therefore sees political opponents getting at each other’s necks outside the rules of the game, one is left to wonder as to the utility of such a document or indeed the civility of men so engaged in the game of politics.
Wrestling power from incumbency must not be a matter of life and death. Politicians must be encouraged to use every legitimate means at their disposal to win office and serve the Zambian people.
It is worrying therefore when one reads, sees and hears of political groupings using underhand methods to remove the ruling MMD from power. Alas, it has now become fashionable to create “new truths” in order to dress political rivals in ill-fitting fatigues.
This is meant to put those opponents in negative light in the eyes of voters and ostensibly portray the purveyors of such falsehoods in good standing with the same. What is more, the creators of such lies go the whole hog to personalise the attacks in a way that is un-christian, unfair and friendish.
It can be said, without blinking, that one favourite “punch-bag” is the MMD and President Banda. While it is not wrong to trade political punches, it is certainly not right to use naked lies to do so.
It is increasingly becoming crystal clear that President Banda’s political foes are becoming more and more desperate in fabricating half-truths, innuendos and damn lies in a bid to parry the punches RB is throwing at them.
[pullquote]Many citizens are appreciative of the work RB has done in a short time in power. Even if the MMD loses this year’s tripartite elections, the new hospitals, clinics, roads, schools will remain as standing monuments of RB’s tour of duty.[/pullquote]
Day in and day out, the rumour mills are churning out falsehoods at break-neck speed in an attempt to paint the MMD and RB black without shame and without humanity.
What is more, the charges behind the smear campaign are panting with seething rage when they discover that Zambian after Zambian has now started seeing through the woolly hoodwink of the products of their fertile imaginations.
The propaganda machinery led by some celebrated tabloids is outdoing itself in manufacturing lies with every breath it takes, believing albeit naively that the general public out there will buy hook, liner and sinker these peddled stories.
Just take the recent happenings in Mongu before, during and after the Kuomboko ceremony of the Lozi people of Western Province. This particular tabloid had painted a picture that mayhem would characterise the visit of His Honour the Vice-President George Kunda to Mongu to grace the Kuomboka ceremony.
The Zambians were subjected to a diet of unfounded statements that Western Province was an MMD no-go area. It was claimed that the Western Province had turned their allegiance to the Patriotic Front (PF).
Furthermore, the tabloid had stated that people in the province were in mourning. The jaundiced publication splashed pictures of injured persons on their front page footage to create disaffection in the minds of the westerners.
This was a veiled bid to make the westerners rise against the ruling MMD. The truth of the matter however is that people in the province and visitors from yonder shore turned up in large numbers to the shame and dishonour of the owners and originators of these lies.
When the bluff was exposed by the naked light of truth, the same tabloid fabricated yet another story that the police service had cancelled a permit to allow worshippers of a certain denomination celebrate Palm Sunday, quoting an unknown, even perhaps hired source.
When Bishop Paul Duffy of the Mongu Diocese refuted the claims, thus uncovering, the ignoble owners of this propaganda, they were left licking their wounds in ashes of self- defeat. It is common knowledge that the missile-launchers have nothing to offer.
All they do is align themselves to all and sundry that is opposed to RB. The only thing they share with RB’s opponents is personal hatred for RB. They rarely discuss issues of substance.
[pullquote]When the bluff was exposed by the naked light of truth, the same tabloid fabricated yet another story that the police service had cancelled a permit to allow worshippers of a certain denomination celebrate Palm Sunday, quoting an unknown, even perhaps hired source.[/pullquote]
The Zambians fortunately are coming round to the light of day.
Many read some of tabloids with pinched noses. Is it any wonder that bundles and bundles of these publications are returned at the end of each day to the publishers. The MMD has one advantage over their opponents and lap dogs.
It has a record of developmental projects that even they very hard-nosed critiques cannot ignore. Try though the propagandist would to change their lenses, the truth speaks back with the real picture.
Many citizens are appreciative of the work RB has done in a short time in power. Even if the MMD loses this year’s tripartite elections, the new hospitals, clinics, roads, schools will remain as standing monuments of RB’s tour of duty.
The best honour a self-respecting politician would do to his or her perceived enemy would be to acknowledge the good that is obvious and cry foul over the neglected duties and responsibilities.
Trying to falsify the obvious is akin to shooting oneself in the foot. Truth is a liberator. When potential voters see a truth-telling politician, they are more likely to heed his or her message unlike when such a one is hell-bent on fabricating lies.
The Zambian culture is a noble heritage of civility, humanity and all that tends to the promotion of co-existence, self-worth and bridge building. Anything less is not only alien, but a departure from this tenet.
May a day come when dogs will walk out of the profession and professionalism take up her seat once again. May journalists and news makers remember their own humanity and forget the rest.
The hour has come for the redemption of the profession from imposters and hired writers.
“They will flog Him and kill Him; and on the third day He will rise again”
(Luke 18:33, AMP).
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Every year all over the world, people honor Good Friday as they day Jesus was crucified. It was the darkest, most painful, discouraging day of His life. To others, it looked as if it was over. It looked as if His enemies had gotten the best of Him. But God had other plans. Jesus’ enemies put Him in the grave on Friday celebrating their victory, but Sunday morning was a different story. The grave could not hold Him. Death couldn’t contain Him. The forces of darkness couldn’t stop Him. On the third day, Jesus came out of the grave and He said, “I was dead, but now I am alive forevermore.”
One principle that the resurrection teaches us is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it’s been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday. You will see your day of breakthrough because God will complete what He started.
If you are going through a dark time today, remember that your day of resurrection, your “Sunday” is on the way! Keep standing, keep believing, because soon you will rise up into the higher places He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in heaven, thank You for Your resurrection power that is alive in me. I choose to keep my eyes on You, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Thank You that my day of breakthrough is on its way! In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Police have arrested 220 people in Mansa following the riots which resulted in the death of five people after rumours of suspected ritual killings.
The police have since dispatched 300 officers to Mansa to reinforce the local police and ensure the situation is brought under control.
The riots have resulted in the damage and looting of various properties belonging to local businessmen worth billions of Kwacha.
Police public relations officer Ndandula Siamana said in a statement that besides damaging property, the rioters also killed cattle, goats and chickens.
“Many prominent shops were set ablaze and some rioters mercilessly slaughtered chickens and also besieged some farms,” she said.
Ms Siamana warned that police are still carrying out investigations and those arrested risk being charged with offences ranging from murder, assault, theft and malicious damage to property as well as riotous behaviour.
“The police service cannot tolerate this and will not rest and will ensure that until those in custody and those to be arrested are taken to court,” she said.
She said this has been the saddest development because it has signifies anarchy and breakdown of law and order in Mansa.
“As the security situation normalizes in Mansa, Victims of these riots and indeed the law abiding citizens particularly in Mansa are requested to cooperate with the police service,” she said.
Ms Ndandula said the service is further appealing to Mansa resident that might information regarding those who were involved in the riots but have not been arrested to get in touch with the inspector general of police, the commending officer and the public relations officer.
And the MMD in Luapula province has condemned the violence describing it as unnecessary and retrogressive.
MMD provincial secretary, Able Chilukuta, said the party in Nchelenge district, where he is a councilor, has asked the police to guard Amico shop belonging tone of the businessmen affected by the rioting.
“We do not want the violence and destruction to spread to Nchelenge where some of the Mansa businessmen also have businesses, I have told the officer in charge to guard the Amico shop in Kashikishi,” he said.
He urged the people in Mansa to remain calm and allow government investigating agencies to do their work nad come up with the truth instead of acting on mere rumours,” he said.
