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Zambia still on course for $415 million mine tax target

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Zambia is on course to collect a projected $415 million from new mining taxes in 2008 following compliance by mining companies, a senior tax official said on Thursday, contradicting a top treasury official.

The new tax regime, which came into effect on April 1, increased mineral royalty to 3 percent from 0.6 percent, while corporate tax on miners rose to 30 percent from 25 percent.

Zambia also introduced a 15 percent variable profit tax on taxable income above 8 percent and a minimum of 25 percent windfall profit tax.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) commissioner-general Chriticles Mwansa said in a statement mining companies had complied with the new tax law and paid the mineral royalties at 3 percent.

Mwansa said mining companies paid the tax authority $8.4 million in May compared with the $1.4 million that they used to pay per month before the introduction of the new taxes.

“I am confident that the targeted $415 million will be collected. The compliance levels so far by the mining companies are very encouraging, hence we are extremely hopeful that the government will meet the target.

“The first payments for mineral royalty were due on May 14, 2008 following the introduction of new taxes but the bulk of the revenue will be paid in June when the first returns and payments for company income tax and other taxes are due,” Mwansa said.

Emmanuel Ngulube, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance, said on Monday the first money of the projected $415 million this year would start coming in June, and that a power outage would affect mine production.

Ngulube said he therefore expected the revenue to reduce.

Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said on Wednesday Zambia was on course to achieve a targeted 1.0 million tonnes of refined copper in three years after resolving a controversy over new mining taxes with foreign investors,

Magande said all but two foreign mining firms in mineral-rich Zambia had agreed to pay the increased taxes, after initial threats of litigation in international courts.

The bigger tax bite had outraged mining firms, which said the move could discourage investment in the sector, a major employer in Zambia accounting for a large share of foreign earnings.

[REUTERS]

Don’t Sell off Small-scale Mining licenses to Foreigners

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Government has called on Zambians to desist from selling their small-scale mining licenses to foreign investors.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Kalombo Mwansa says the trend must come to an end if the country is to see a reduction in poverty and create wealth for its citizens through the country’s resources.

Dr. Mwansa was speaking when he launched the Federations of Small-scale Miners Association in Lusaka today.

He urged the newly launched Federations of Small-scale Miners Association to fight the tendency among Zambians to pass on the economic empowerment to foreign investors.

Dr. Mwansa observed that Zambians who sell off their mining licenses have remained poor while the new owners of the mines have reaped handsomely from the mining activities.

He said government established the mining sector revolving fund in 2005 to help small-scale miners sustain their mining undertakings.

And speaking earlier, Federations of Small-scale Miners Association interim President Lyapa Manza explained that 14 regional mining associations have come together to form one national body that will serve as an umbrella body for small-scale miners.

He said the federation has been formed with the key objective of promoting the sustainable development of the small-scale mining sector.

He added that a well organized and supported small-scale mining industry has the potential of contributing immensely to not only poverty eradication but the economic well being of the country.

Cyclist seriously injured in a bicycle collision in Lundazi

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A 30-year-old teacher of Mphamba Day Secondary School in Lundazi District is lying unconscious in Lundazi District hospital after being involved in a head-on bicycle collision.

Both police and Lundazi District Director of Health, Allan Chisenga, confirmed the accident to ZANIS in Lundazi which happened around 07 hours yesterday along the Lundazi-Mphamba road.

The victim has been identified as Perry Chingwele, a resident of Lundazi Boarding school teachers’ compound.

Dr. Chisenga said Chingwele sustained severe head injuries.

Dr. Chisenga explained that Chingwele sustained a depression skull injury on the right side of the head.

He disclosed that plans have been made for the immediate evacuation of Chingwele to St. Francis Hospital in Katete District for further medical attention.

And police sources named the other cyclist involved in the same accident as, Sam Phiri, aged 28 of Chikoloka village Chief Mphamba, who escaped unhurt.

And Lundazi residents have expressed worry over the increase in the number of accidents happening along Mphamba road.

They have since appealed to management at Mphamba secondary and new Kabinda Day High Secondary ro consider mounting humps on the road to reduce further accidents.

SADC worries about S/A violence

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Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of Mission accredited to South Africa are concerned at the escalating xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in that country.

The Ambassadors and High commissioners met Wednesday to discuss the problem and resolved to ask the South African government to find a permanent solution to the crisis.

Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula, who chaired the meeting, expressed solidarity with victims of the latest attacks.

High Commissioner Mbula also challenged South Africans to accommodate nationals from other countries in the region.

He said people in the SADC region shared a common history, culture and destiny.

Mr. Mbula however, thanked the South African
government for the tireless efforts being made in assisting the victims of the violence.

This is according a press statement by Second Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in South Africa, Philip Chirwa.

[ZNBC]

Make peace says Levy

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President Mwanawasa says his reconciliation with Patriotic Front leader, Michael Sata will be meaningless if it does not help change the attitude of Zambians.

Dr. Mwanawasa said he and Mr Sata have set an example for Zambians to follow.

He said it is now up to everyone to reconcile and work hard to develop the country.

The President was speaking on arrival at Mansa airport.

The president is in Luapula province to inspect the Chembe bridge which is currently under construction.

Luapula Province Minister, Chrispine Mushosha thanked Dr. Mwanawasa for facilitating Mr. Sata's trip to South Africa for medical treatment.

[ZNBC]

Two people drowns on Lake Kariba while another kills himself

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Two people from one family have drowned on Lake Kariba when the boat they were in capsized following a storm that swept it.
Sinazongwe District Council Vice Chairperson Fisher Zimana confirmed the development to ZANIS that the two people drowned on Lake Kariba near Nakasanga fishing camp in Chiyabi area.
Mr. Zimana identified the victims as Pearson Mulende 28 and Banabus Mulende who is 17 years old.
He said the two victims started shouting for help when a strong wind swept the boat and the friends who were 800 metres away found they had already drowned.

The Vice Chairperson said the two bodies were retrieved the following day and have since been buried.
He said severe hunger in the district was forcing people to engage themselves into fishing because about 1800 households were in need of relief food.
In another development a 23 year old man has committed suicide in Malima area at Syanyuka village.
Mr. Zimana said Grade Syanyuka killed himself using insecticide after a drinking spree with his peers.
“Mr Syanyuka went to drink beer at night and when he returned home to went to a place where he keeps insecticide and drunk it. The wife head him groaning and decide to take him to Malima clinic but it was too late,” Mr. Zimana said.
{ZANIS]

Grow more food Prof. Phiri tells Sinazongwe

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Agriculture and Cooperative Permanent Secretary Professor Isaac Phiri has urged Sinazongwe farmers that benefited from the K2.1 billion investment for irrigation to produce more food to curb severe hunger in the district.

Professor Phiri told farmers during his tour of the district at Buleya Malima Irrigation Scheme that they should be serious to ensure that government investment begins to show results.

He said it was unfortunate that farmers have failed to start cultivating the land on time when there was plenty of water for irrigation.

“If the pumps have no problems let us struggle to produce more food to reduce the hunger situation in the district,” Professor Phiri said.

Professsor Phiri noted that Southern Province was hit by floods and irrigation Schemes were the only means that could caution the imminent hunger that would affect the people.

He said the farmers should take advantage of the shortage of hunger to produce more food to sale even to the local people.

The Permanent Secretary expressed his disappointment when he found farmers using water from the canals at Buleya Malima Irrigation Scheme to wet their fields before tilling it.
He said the act was waste of water because they should prepared there land when the soils were still wet in April.
However, the Professor said the ministry was in the process to ensure that any foreign company that invested in fishing should have 25 percent of its shares given to the local people.
He said it was not right for district to have only four local companies involved into fishing out of 20 companies.
Sinazongwe District Administrative Officer Sokoloku Daka said government has completed the rehabilitation of kamutalala dam in Siameja area.
Mr. Daka said the Nzenga irrigation Scheme site has been tendered for construction this year.
He said the district Agriculture officers have also surveyed Chiyabi irrigation Scheme and the estimate cost for rehabilitating it was 2.1 kwacha.

[ZANIS]

Tourism records a 6 percent growth

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Zambia’s tourism sector has continued to record significant growth.

Tourism, Environment and Natural Recourses Minister Michael Kaingu announced in Lusaka today that the sector has since recorded a 6 percent growth.

Mr. Kaingu said this translates into a 3 percent contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He explained that the three percent may just be a small margin of the actual contribution tourism has made the GDP.

Mr. Kaingu said tourism is not only part of the social sector but plays an important role the economic sector as well.

Mr. Kaingu further called for the revision of the brand “Zambia the real Africa” so that it could highlight what tourists can enjoy when they come to visit Zambia.

He pointed out that the current the brand gives the impression that Africa is one country, an impression which he said must be corrected.

Veep sure of MMD victory in Milanzi by-election

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Vice President, Rupiah Banda, is sure of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy, MMD, victory in the forthcoming Milanzi by-election set for June 26.

The vice president told ZANIS in Chipata today that the party is ready for the by-election adding that it is so far the strongest party in the eastern province.

Mr Banda observed that the MMD has a strong foundation for its campaign, based on it having managed to secure the highest number of parliamentary seats in the 2006 tripartite elections.

“Im optimistic that we shall scoop the seat and I would ask the people here to do all they can so that we increase the number of seats in parliamentary seats from 16 to 17,” he said.

Mr. Banda has since advised the party leadership in the province to adequate prepare for the campaign and ensure that the MMD scoops the seat.

The Milanzi seat fell vacant after the death of UNIP MP, Chosani Njovu recently.

Meanwhile, Mr Banda has advised farmers in the province against selling their maize until government announces the floor price for the commodity, if they are to realize profits.

He advised them not to rush to selling the grain to briefcase buyers, who offer low prices but later resell the product at recommended price to government.

In another development, the vice president said people should not criticize newly appointed Zambia national team coach, Herve Leonard, but allow him to perform his duties.

Mr Banda said people should not complain about his wages because coaches all over the world are very expensive.

He stated that Zambians should not compare their wages to those of a coach because coaches are highly paid.

“We should not complain about him but welcome him with open arms, he might just be the team’s savior,” he said.

Two Zambian Families Affected by SA Xenophobia attacks

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Two Zambian families have been caught up in the xenophobia of violence that has gripped South Africa and left 23 foreigners dead.

Chief government spokesperson Mike Mulongoti who is also information minister said one family had its home windows smashed and is now living in fear.

The minister said the other Zambian family is locked up in a flat too scared to come out.

The Minister told ZNBC news that Zambians living in South Africa who feel insecure should come back home.

He said there is economic and political security back home.

Mr. Mulongoti appealed to the South Africans to allow foreigners living in their country to wind up their business before they return home.

He said it is not necessary for Zambians to continue living in fear and should get in touch with the Zambian High Commissioner in South Africa to facilitate their return home.

Mr. Mulongoti was sad that while many African countries had assisted South Africa during the apartheid era, its citizens have became violent towards African foreigners living there.

The Minister explained that if the violence in that country is not checked it might impact negatively on that country’s economy.

Meanwhile, Southern Africa Development Community, SADC, Heads of Mission accredited to South Africa are concerned at the escalating xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in that country.

The ambassadors and high commissioners told held a meeting to discuss the problem and resolved to ask the South African government to find a permanent solution to the crisis.

Zambia’s High Commiossionmer to South Africa, Leslie Mbula, who chaired the meeting, expressed solidarity with the victims and challenged the South African people to accommodate people from other countries in the region because of a common shared history, culture and destiny.

Mr Mbula has, however, thanked the South African government for the tireless efforts being made in assisting the victims of the violence.

This is according a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka and signed by Second Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in South Africa, Philip Chirwa today.

Eleven Ambassadors and High Commissioners attended the meeting which took over three hours.

Present at the meeting were heads of mission from Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique.

Others included ambassadors and high commissioners from Swaziland, Tanzania,Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Recently, foreign nationals visiting South Africa have been attacked by South African robbers.

“I would like to challenge the South African community to be accommodating towards their brothers and sisters in the SADC region with whom they share a common history, culture and destiny. I also would like to urge the government to find a permanent lasting solution to the crisis more so that it affected African brothers and sisters,” Mr. Mbula said.

Zambia Handed Bye in 2008 Cosafa Challenge Cup

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The 2008 Cosafa Challenge Cup will be held under a new 16-team tournament-style format in Mpumalanga, South Africa played over 2 stages with 20 matches played from July 17 to August 2.

The preliminary group stage of the new-look Cosafa Challenge Cup will comprise of six teams namely Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, Swaziland, Lesotho, Seychelles, Mauritius and The Comoros Island.

The six teams in the preliminary round will play each other on a round-robin

League basis from July 17 to 19 with the top two qualifying to the final last-8 knockout stage of the Cosafa Cup that will run from July 24 to August 2.

There, they will be paired against the top 6 ranked teams of the Fifa rankings from the Cosafa zone who have been handed preliminary round byes.

The teams on bye are defending champions South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia including 3-time Cosafa Cup winners Angola and Zimbabwe.

The 2008 COSAFA Cup will be played at three venues over a period of 2 weeks with all preliminary group stage matches played in the Mpumapalnga towns of Secunda and Witbank.

The last-8 knockout stages, quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on July 19 at Witbank and Thulamashe- the latter venue to hosts the final on August 2.

South Africa beat 2006 winners Zambia 4-3 on post-match penalties in the 2008 2008 final after a scoreless draw played at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.

And the 2008 COSAFA Under-20 tournament will be held in Kimberley, South Africa from November 27 to December 7.

Draws to be made June 20 at the tournament venue.

Zimbabwe are the defending champions after beating hosts South Africa 3-0 in the finals last December in Mpumalanga at Thulamashe.

In other news, Felix Katongo, Clifford Mulenga, Isaac Chansa, Roger Kola and Kennedy Mweene are all expected to leave for Teheran on Friday to join Zambia ahead of Sundays friendly there against Iran.

Mulenga meanwhile arrived in the country on Monday and has been training with the Zambia U20 team in camp in Lusaka.

All the players will leave for the middle-east on the same flight as the Zambia Under-20 team who will be heading to Saudi Arabia to play a friendly international against that country’s Under-21 team.

19 players will comprise the Under-20 team after the withdrawal of Kola from the team.

Kola was the 20th member of the junior team after he was drafted into the senior side for the Iran match.

The Under-20 will play Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening and return home on Tuesday.

Stop Drying ‘Chisense’ and Cassava on the Runway

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Kashikishi residents living near St. Pauls Mission Hospital Air strip have been ordered to stop drying fish and Cassava on the runway. Residents have also been told to stop burying dead relatives at the airstrip with immediate effect.

Nchelenge District Commissioner, Wilson Kasoloko advised people who are using the Runway at the Air Strip for for these activities to stop the practice.

Mr Kasoloko told ZANIS in an interview yesterday, that residents have encroached into the airstrip and created graves that have become an eyesore to the area.

“The Graves are creating a wrong impression on visitors that Land on the Air Strip to think the District has run out of Sites for Grave Yards due to a high death rate,” Mr Kasoloko said.

Mr Kasoloko said the graves at the air strip were giving a negative impression about the district to visitors, who arrive at the airstrip to visit the district for the first time.

“If you can imagine yourself, what impression are you going to have if upon disembarking from the Plane the first thing you see are Hundreds of Graves all around the Air Strip and Starks of Chisense and Cassava on the Runway,” Mr Kasoloko wondered.

He said a meeting of senior government officials and management representatives from Nchelenge District Council and St. Pauls Mission hospital recently met and resolved to order the immediate stop for residents to bury the dead at the Air strip.

He said it was also agreed that all the women drying their Fish and Cassava from the site should also be stopped.

Mr Kasoloko said the meeting, hence, suggested the need to urgently identify an alternative grave site for the local people tentatively at the area between Lupembe Road and Mutono Road.

He said the Civil Aviation regulation do not allow any structure to be amounted near the run way.

Editors note. [Correction Made to First Sentence]

ZRA Records K432 Billion Collection of Tax Revenue

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The Zambia Revenue Authority has recorded a surplus of K423.0 billion in the collection of tax revenue for the period January to April 2008.ZRA Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa says government expected ZRA to collect tax revenue amounting to K2, 842.7 billion representing 5.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product but ZRA collected K3, 265.7 billion representing 6.3 percent in tax collections.

Mr. Mwansa announced this at a ZRA first quarter press briefing in Lusaka today. Mr. Mwansa, who described the performance of ZRA in the first four months of the year as successful, attributed the huge surplus recorded to higher than programmed tax revenue collection under company tax, Pay As You Earn, withholding tax, excise duty and trade taxes.

He added that the success is also attributed to a conducive macroeconomic environment obtaining in the economy and the steps that ZRA has undertaken to re-engineer the way of doing business.

Mr. Mwansa also announced that ZRA has collected K29.7 billion as returns and payments for mineral royalties which were due on 14th May, 2008.

He said all major players in the mining sector complied with the legal provisions and paid mineral royalty at 3.0 percent.

He added that the bulk of revenues from the mining sector are expected to be paid in June 2008 when the first returns and payments for company income tax and other taxes are due.

Mr. Mwansa expressed hope that governments target of collecting $415 million from mineral royalties will be met by the end of this year.

He pointed out that following the launch of the taxpayer charter in February this year, ZRA has started to monitor and report the performance of the institution against set service standards.

He said in the first quarter of this year ZRA has attained an overall success score of over 60 percent in reduced tax registration periods, quicker issuance of tax clearance certificates and quicker refund processing of some taxes.

Mr. Mwansa also said following the restructuring of the Flexible Anti Smuggling Team and the creation of the Mobile Compliance Unit, ZRA in the review period successfully conducted risk based enforcement interventions to detect and curtail smuggling activities at borders and outside for the transactions that eluded control officers at borders.

He said the move resulted in 1, 120 seizures that yielded K12.2 billion in revenue.

Mr. Mwansa thanked all citizens who have provided information about illegal operations by some organisations and individuals saying all the information is investigated and further action is taken to prosecute accordingly when need arises.

xenophobia

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They say once beaten twice shy. This is a proverb I should have paid attention to when Big Jo came to visit me a month ago. I should have listened to my instincts to run away from him the moment he entered my house and pat me on the back like we were old buddies.He apologized profusely for the incident that happened when we were last together, that lead to me losing my passport and dignity.

To make it up to me he said he would buy me an airticket to Dubai. He said he had a contract to buy medical equipment and needed my help as I am smart with numbers. Of course this boosted my ego and after he showed me pictures of Dubai I was even more eager to give Big Jo a second chance.After all it wasn’t his fault I got mugged in Johannesburg last time.
“But ba Kamba,” I said, “this time lets not stay in Hilbrow.”
“No problem mwana we will stay in Alexandra.”
I heaved a sigh of relief. I felt sure this was a much better suburb. Maybe it was a white surburb.I had heard that the whites in South Africa lived in beautiful suburbs.

Big Jo wasn’t messing around this time and soon won my trust. This time round we flew to Johannesburg on Zambian Airways.It was my first flight. I must have been fumbling with the seat belt because a beautiful lady came to help me put it on.Her scent was so lovely and I hoped she didn’t hear my heart pounding against my chest as she leaned close to me. Air hostesses are even more beautiful than I ever imagined.
Anyway after 2 hours we arrived in Johannesburg and booked a cab to Alexandra. I was so glad we were not using those dangerous minibuses. I was however horrified when after an hour we drove into a shanty compound.
My mouth gaped and I felt terribly scared.
Big Jo sensed my horror.
“Mwaice we are just spending a night with Nyika, my Zimbabwean friend. We won’t even have to pay anything here,” he said.
But is it safe I asked?

“Iwe mwaice, ninshi kanshi.You are too picky like a woman.You said no Hilbrow.Besides Nyika has lived here for 5 years,” he said.
We soon arrived at Nyikas three roomed house. I really wondered why Big Jo chose such humble accommodations when he had money to buy 2 airickets.
Nyika was a friendly man and I soon relaxed. In the evening after supper Nyika suggested we go visit a friend in the next street.I safely put my passport and money at the bottom of my bag.If I got mugged at least I wouldn’t be robbed of my passport. We had barely left the house when we saw a huge mob wielding pangas, machetes and sticks. At first I thought it was some weird Zulu dance till we saw them descend on a house not too far from where we stood.I heard a terible long shrill scream.At this point I didn’t need a sixth sense to know that mob was going to descend on us too. Big Jo and I instinctively ran in the opposite direction. Nyika seemed intent on finding out what was going on. Ofcourse by this time many people were out of their houses wondering what the commotion was about.I had never felt so scared in my life. I didn’t even know where we were running as we tried to figure out a way out of the maze of streets.A man who was also running stopped us and told us we were running in the wrong direction.My legs felt weak at the thought of running into that murderous mob. Out of breathe Big Jo asked what was going on.
“They are killing foreigners, now quick lets ran to the police station,”the man panted.
As we ran the group of people running grew.Some had bloodied faces,some were crying hysterically.
What had I gotten myself into? Why did I trust Big Jo. I looked around for Big Jo but in the commotion we had gotten separated.Why were these people killing foreigners? Have they so quickly forgotten that we allowed them exile in our countries during aparthied?
When we arrived at the small police station we were loaded in trucks and taken to a church about 30minutes drive.There I saw Big Jo. He was visibly shaken.
“They’ve killed Nyika,”he sobbed ” He was trying to reason with them but they paid no attention to him and burned him in his house.”
I felt such rage,such fear such hatred. I was so angry my stomach hurt. Whats wrong with these people? No if I feel this way I’m no better than them. Vengeance is mine said the Lord.

Once again I’m in South Africa without my passport and money. What do I even say to that cocky woman at the embassy?

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New Siansowa Township development Approved

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Sinazongwe District Council Secretary has disclosed that the Ministry of Lands has approved the layout plan for the new Siansowa Township.
Mr. Oliver Muuka said the next step was for the Surveyors to beckon the plots which the Local Authority has already paid for the work to be done.

He said the Council would commence to service the township by providing streets, refuse collection, dumping sites, and facilitate water provision soon after the survey works was completed.
Mr Muuka said the other stage would include advertising of the plots, conducting plot interviews, and allocating it to the developers.

The Council Secretary says the Ministry of Lands was paid K21million for plot numbering.
He says Maaze Holding Ltd, a local investor in the district, had promised to build a clinic at the New Township but the Company could not go ahead because the survey works has not been done.
Sinazongwe District Council has also completed the surveying of plots for both Sinazongwe Township and Sinazeze which are also growing areas in the district.

Sinazongwe District Planning Officer Syamwiinga Syabbalo disclosed that 150 plots have been surveyed in Sinazongwe Township.

He says the streets have been opened for both Sinazongwe and Sinazeze Townships at a cost of more than K100 million.

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Mr. Syabbalo noted that the roads were opened up to ensure that would be developers have access to their plots.

He says the other role was to turn them into better living places by building good standard houses approved by both the Council and Country planning department under the Southern Province Planning Authority.
[ZANIS]

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