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Zambian traditional leaders to converge in October

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Zambian traditional leaders to converge in October

The Forum for African Traditional Authority of Zambia (FATAZA) has revealed that Zambian royal establishments will converge in Lusaka in October 2022, to share developmental knowledge from all the 288 chiefdoms in Zambia.

FATAZA General Secretary Chief Ishima Sanken’i the sixth of Zambezi district in North-western province, said chiefs in Zambia are custodians of natural resources and other wealth but have lagged behind in development.

ZANIS reports that Chief Ishima disclosed that the traditional leaders will also use the meeting to share information about development activities taking place in their individual chiefdoms.

He said this when FATAZA and Overland Mission, paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Kennedy Kalunga at his office today.

The traditional leader further said the spiritual meeting will also accord chiefs an opportunity to dispel the notion that palaces are places of witchcraft.

He explained that traditional leaders are Christians who also fear God and cherish his guidance.

Chief Ishima explained that development will be easy to achieve if all traditional leaders seek guidance from God.

And Overland Mission President, Philip Smethurst, said the meeting will attract traditional leaders and other stakeholders from within Zambia and other countries.

Overland Mission is a Christian organisation set to organise the King of Kings celebration meeting for royal establishments in Lusaka.

ERB OKs new ZESCO/CEC power deal

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ERB OKs new ZESCO/CEC power deal

The Energy Regulation Board has approved the new bulk supply agreement to be entered into between CEC and ZESCO.

In a notice issued by CEC, following the initialling of the BSA by CEC and ZESCO on 6 April 2022, an application for regulatory approval was lodged with the ERB in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Electricity Act, 2019.

“The Board advises that the ERB has granted its approval of the BSA, paving way for CEC and ZESCO to proceed to sign the agreement,” the notice read.

The new BSA is a successor to the previous agreement that expired on 31 March 2020.

It anchors the commercial terms for the mutual provision of services between CEC and ZESCO.

Zambia could be next country to take UK’s illegal Channel migrants

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Zambia could be next country to take UK’s illegal Channel migrants

The Telegraph in UK reports that Zambia may be the next country to take UK asylum seekers after “expressing an interest” in the Government’s Rwanda scheme.

The southern African state is said by government and Border Force sources to be “potentially interested”.

However, it is waiting to see how the £120 million agreement to remove migrants from the UK to claim asylum in Rwanda works.

A source familiar with the programme said: “There are one or two countries, like Zambia, who are potentially interested. They will wait and see what happens in Rwanda before deciding whether it is worthwhile and the political ramifications of it.”

Court action to block Rwanda deportation

The disclosure came as the charities Care4Calais and Detention Action – as well as the Public and Commercial Services (PCS), which represents Border Force staff – launched a court bid to block the Rwanda deportation plans and injunct the first flights on June 14.

They are challenging both the policy and the removal of four of the migrants as unlawful on multiple grounds, including breaches of their human rights.

As well as breaches of the migrants’ human rights, they also claim it was irrational for Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, to claim Rwanda was a “safe third country” and that she had failed to “make provision for malaria prevention in Rwanda”.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS union, said: “’PCS is not prepared to countenance our members being put in potentially dangerous and traumatic situations, where they may be asked to act illegally.”

But a Tory source said: “They have no alternative to stop these deadly Channel crossings and it’s a shame to see members of the Labour party standing with them.”

More than 90 of the 130 migrants due to be removed to Rwanda next week have already lodged legal challenges.

Officials expect all to have submitted challenges by the end of the week.

Government sources admitted that there was a “very high” risk the legal action could scupper the June 14 flights.

However, one said: “It will go, even if there is just one person left on it, because we will already have paid for it at that point.

We will take on the legal action. It is just whether a judge grants an injunction. We cannot do anything until the injunction has been dealt with.”

Zambia a destination for many refugees

Under the Rwanda deal, the UK has agreed to pay the east African country £120 million and foot the £12,000 bill for sending each migrant on a one-way flight there.

The Government was in talks with two other countries, Albania and Ghana, to take migrants from the UK.

However, the disclosure of the negotiations led to them withdrawing, amid fears of a political and public backlash.

The Zambian embassy was contacted two weeks ago by The Telegraph but has so far not responded to requests for comment.

Zambia is, however, a major location for refugees. It hosts more than 100,000, largely from Congo and Burundi.

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, praised Zambia’s generosity towards refugees in 2019, after witnessing its “progressive” approach – including finding work for new arrivals.

Tom Pursglove, a Home Office minister, last month said of the Rwanda deal: “I doubt it will be the last of those sorts of agreements that are reached involving countries around the world.”

David Neal, chief inspector of borders and immigration, told MPs that he had not met Ms Patel since starting his job 14 months ago and had six scheduled meetings with her cancelled.

He also disclosed that the Home Office was sitting on six of his reports, including one on Channel small boat crossings.

Telegraph

Political parties file in for the Lumbo ward in Mongu

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Political parties file in for the Lumbo ward in Mongu

Three political parties have successfully filed in their nomination papers for the Lumbo ward by-election in Mongu central constituency slated for June 30, 2022.

United Party for National Development (UPND) candidate Gift Nosiku said that the party has shown commitment towards developing all wards in the district.

Mr Nosiku said President Hakainde Hichilema will honour the people through delivering meaningful development according to the campaign promises.

And Western Province Information and Publicity Secretary, Mubiana Lamaswala said campaign messages will be based on peace and the rule of law.

Mr Lamaswala said no political parties will be intimidated during the campaign trails in the ward as the UPND will not condone any acts of violence.

speaking after filling in his nomination, Economic Front Party candidate, John Chikoti said he will work towards increasing social cash transfer funds.

Meanwhile, the Leadership Movement Party candidate, Mike Naluca promised to develop the Lumpo ward which he said has lacked behind.

Lumbo ward by-election has been necessitated following the demise of the former UPND ward councilor Kekelwa Wakumel

Three people  die on Lake Bangweulu

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Three people  die on Lake Bangweulu

Three people have died after a canoe they were on  capsized on Lake Bangweulu due to bad weather in Chilubi district of Northern Province.

Chilubi District Commissioner Risto Mushembe confirmed the development to ZANIS in Kasama that the  trio all from the same family were travelling from the Island to the fishing camps.

He explained that it is alleged that the victims who are from Kawena village in Chilubi Island were going to collect money that was owed to them by some people in the fishing camps.

Mr. Mushembe explained the canoe could have capsized as a result of  bad weather and that information at hand indicated that only three people were on the canoe.

“These calamities do happen when the lake is hostile or is windy” explained the District Commissioner

He said all the three bodies have since been retrieved adding that the family working with the government is making arrangements to procure coffins to bury the victims.

“There will be no postmortem to be done, we are just making arrangements to bury the victims today as you may be aware we do not have a mortuary here,” he said.

Mwepu: Big Relief For Chipolopolo After Victory

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Mwepu: Big Relief For Chipolopolo After Victory

Chipolopolo Zambia captain and midfielder Enock Mwepu says it is a huge relief to bounce back with a home win on Tuesday in their second game of the 2023 AFCON Group H qualifiers.

Zambia beat Comoros 2-1 on June 7 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka to redeem themselves after starting the qualifiers four days earlier with a 3-1 away loss to Cote d’Ivoire in Yamoussoukro.

“It is a very big relief for us. We prepared adequately for this game and obviously it is always difficult when you are coming from a defeat and also being a home game,” Mwepu said.

“But I think with the players we are trying to become, it is a young group, you can see that the talent is there, the skills are also there- everyone can see that.

“We created a lot of chances but will continue to work on our finishing and that will give us more opportunities to win games.”

But Chipolopolo had to rally from one-down after El-Fardou Ben Mohamed put Comoros ahead in the 13th minute after he punished goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and defender Tandi Mwape for a poorly executed back-pass.

Mwepu equalised on the stroke of halftime after Fashion Sakala saw one of his shots hit the post and the other kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Ahamda Ali Nadhoim.

Sixtieth minute substitute Kings Kangwa lifted the Heroes Stadium roof when the midfielder superbly converted free kick in the 88th minute.

Chipolopolo exchange places with Comoros in second and third place respectively, tied on 3 points after two games played.

Leaders Cote d’Ivoire are in action on Thursday in Johannesburg when they visit bottom of the table Lesotho who lost 2-0 in their opening game to Comoros on June 3 away on Moroni.

“It was a really tough game, very tricky, I think Comoros was strong as well but obviously a win is very, very important for us and that was our aim on Tuesday,” Mwepu said.

“It is good that we picked up the 3 points and now we look forward to facing Lesotho.”

Zambia will face Lesotho in a doubleheader on September 19 at home and away on September 27.

Kitwe black mountain accidents false says African Women in Mining

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Kitwe black mountain accidents false says African Women in Mining

African Women in Mining, an association carrying out mining activities at the black mountain has refuted claims suggesting that young people are dying from accidents at the famous black mountain in Kitwe district.

Association President Grace Njapau notes that the area is currently secure and many locals are benefiting from the government driven empowerment programme.

She cautioned sections of society who have been spreading false rumours to desist from the vice, saying such information is likely to cause unrest among the citizenry, especially those involved in the mining operations at the said locality.

Speaking in an interview in Kitwe today, Ms. Njapau urged Zambians to remain patriotic and give credit where it is due.

“It is not true that young people are dying at the black mountain, the mining activities there are going on well, it is just that some people do not want the women and young people to benefit from the empowerment initiative.” She narrated.

She explained that the site is secure and is being managed by a supervisor, who is making sure that the place is safe.

Ms. Njapau revealed that the mining activities were going on well, adding that over one hundred cooperatives have been empowered so far.

She described the negative reports being spread by some sections of the media as malicious and urged the media houses running those reports to carry out thorough investigations before broadcasting the material.

“We must rise above malicious reporting, and this kind of reporting shows that someone does not love their country, otherwise we should be patriotic and help our country to develop,” she noted.

The reaction from the African Women in Mining, follows an increase in media reports, suggesting that numerous accidents have characterized the black mountain were youths have been undertaking mining activities.

Zambia starts search for new investor in KCM

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Zambia starts search for new investor in KCM

Konkola Copper Mines will appoint an adviser to help it find an equity investor willing to fund the mine’s expansion, its provisional liquidator has said.

Zambia’s previous government put KCM into the hands of a liquidator in May 2019, triggering an ongoing legal dispute with Vedanta Resources, KCM’s parent company.

The government at that time accused Vedanta of failing to honour licence conditions, including promised investment, charges which Vedanta has denied.

The government takeover of KCM goes to an arbitration hearing in January 2023 in London, Zambia’s mines minister Paul Kabuswe said on June 1.

KCM provisional liquidator Celine Nair said in a statement that a strategic equity investor would be required to guarantee the development of the company’s $1.1-billion Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP).

Firms invited to submit a proposal to act as adviser include international banks Citibank Investment Banking Group, Standard Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Rothschild, Rand Merchant Bank and InvestEcon, Ms. Nair said.

“The search for a strategic investor in Konkola Copper Mines has started in earnest,” she said.

Ms. Nair also announced the resumption of mining operations at a KCM open pit mine, saying the move was part of broader plans to improve operations before the government finds a new investor.

KCM plans to spend $17-million on an annual maintenance shutdown of the Nchanga Smelter, which has an annual capacity of 311,000 tonnes of copper, said Ms. Nair said, who also announced other measures to expand output in the Konkola East operation.

“We are looking at various options to improve production at KCM for the benefit of the company and the nation,” Ms. Nair said.

Below is Ms. Nair’s statement

KCM Provisional Liquidator Update on Company Operations

Konkola Copper Mines – KCM Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Provisional Liquidator Celine Nair says mining operations at the COP F&D open pit in Chingola has resumed.

The move is part of broader plans to improve KCM operations before the government finds a new investor.

Ms Nair, who is Administrator General and Official Receiver of the Government of Zambia, unveiled a plan through which KCM also seeks to spend $17 million to carry out an annual maintenance shutdown of the Nchanga Smelter.

She said the amount is also to take up other measures to expand production in the Konkola East operation in order to boost overall KCM total copper production which has a 311,000 tonnes annual production capacity.

Ms Nair said that KCM is working closely with the Government to ensure the sustainability of operations until a new investor take over the running of the Company.

“There are major restoration projects that we are currently initiating in KCM such as the Chingola Open Pits (COP F&D) project,” Ms Nair said in reference to the operations where KCM is currently stripping waste ahead of mining of ore for the first time since 2018. Initial copper ore production at COP F&D is planned at 70,000 tonnes per month by July before ramping up to 120,000 tonnes in August.

She said the company is looking at various options to improve production at KCM for the benefit of the Company and the nation.

The Provisional Liquidator said KCM was also seeking ways to lift production at the Tailings Leach Plant (TLP) at Nchanga in Chingola from the current average of 2,560 tonnes primary copper per month to 3,000 tonnes and eventually 3,500 tonnes through upgrades to the plant.

Ms Nair said KCM will focus on short term mining projects, which require minimal funding to increase copper production, and these include a migration of reclamation from Tailings Dam 3 to Tailings Dam 4, and medium-term projects including Elevated Temperature Leaching at the TLP in Nchanga, the Nchanga Smelter Copper-Cobalt separation, and improvements to Nchanga Underground Block A upper and Chingola B, among others.

She also gave an update on the search for a new investor in KCM, saying: “In line with the New Dawn government’s pledge to ramp up Zambia’s copper production in the long term and find a long-lasting solution to the mining sector’s challenges, the search for a strategic investor in Konkola Copper Mines has started in earnest.”

KCM has invited a selection of local and international firms to respond to a request for proposal for the selection of an investment banker that will source a strategic equity investor that will, amongst others, guarantee the development of the USD $1.1 billion Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP), she said.

The international firms invited include Citibank Investment Banking Group, Standard Bank, Bank of America Merril Lynch, Rothschild, Rand Merchant Bank and InvestEcon, while the local firms invited include Pangaea Securities, Stockbrokers Zambia, E-Ngoma and ZANACO Bank.

The Provisional Liquidator said KCM would not neglect its responsibility as a corporate entity with focus on ensuring employment sustainability for all the employees and assisting communities around its mining areas even in the current circumstances.

Ms Nair said KCM would prioritise future business transactions with local companies in order to help with the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“Our desire is to fulfill the ‘start with Jerusalem first’ before you look anywhere else business concept,” she said. Of the $300 million annual business transactions between KCM and its vendors, about 82% or $246 million is awarded to Zambian registered companies and the balance to foreign vendors. Currently, 71% of vendors doing business with KCM are local contractors and suppliers.

Nine training institutions closed by TEVETA

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Nine training institutions closed by TEVETA

Nine training institutions, including one student agency have been shut down by the Technical Educational Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) for operating without a trade test certificate.

TEVETA Manager for Corporate affairs Clive Siachiyako says the institutions and the agency will be reported to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), for the offence of misleading the learners and the masses that they are registered under TEVETA.

Speaking after he visited one illegal training institution, Pascal Operating Training institute in Ndola district, Mr. Siachiyako said the school has been stealing and misleading the learners that it operates legally.

“This school has been warned several times but has not adhered to the warning that is why we want the law to take its course.

They offer mining courses without equipment and charge K8, 000 for a short course,” he explained.

And Mr. Siachiyako has called on offices handling the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to be weary of illegal training institutions that want to obtain loans from them on false pretence.

He said most of them want to obtain loans through the constituency offices by pretending to be operating under TEVETA.

“If the CDF offices are not careful these institutions will misuse the public funds once given,” he said.

The 9 institutions include Pascal Operators Training Institute, Heavy Duty Operators,

Pamcard training Institute, Phoenix Research Institute, Lusaka Vocational and Technical College, Excavator Operators Training Centre, Copper Valley International College, Lecarena Institute , Three Sixty Cyber Link and World Youth and Leadership Foundation student Agency.

Kagem Dismisses Assertions by Chief Nkana that Communities have not benefited from Minerals in the District

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Kagem Dismisses Assertions by Chief Nkana that Communities have not benefited from Minerals in the District

Kagem Mining Limited has reacted sharply to comments suggesting that people in the Lufwanyama District on the Copperbelt have not benefited much from minerals because it owns the bigger chunk of high-quality emerald deposits that can be subdivided to accommodate more investors.

Chief Nkana of the Lamba people in Lufwanyama District has called on the government to unlock Lufwanyama’s mining area for more investment by sub-dividing the Kagem Mine area.

In a recent interview at his palace, Chief Nkana stated that Kagem Mine alone is sitting on more than 50 square Kilometers of land that can accommodate many investors if subdivided.

But in a media statement, Kagem Chief Executive Officer Sean Gilbertson said the mining firm has noted with concern the claims that the company has not supported the communities around its mine in Lufwanyama District.

Gilbertson said the bad publicity against Kagem is stemming from a small number of disaffected parties who have a long-standing commercial dispute with Kagem.

“Mining companies should be regarded as professional service providers who should act as responsible and transparent custodians of the host nation’s mineral resources. Without transparency there can be no proper accountability. We are not aware of any other emerald project in history that has delivered more value in absolute terms, or as large a proportion of true resource value, to a host nation. With two record-breaking emerald auctions already held in 2022, Zambia’s emerald resources are delivering more in-country earnings and benefits than ever before”, said Gilbertson in a statement issued by Langmead Communications Managing Director Gillian Langmead.

“Kagem Mining Limited has noted with concern a press article claiming that the company has not supported the communities around its mine in Lufwanyama District. These allegations are unfounded and stem from a small number of disaffected parties who have a long standing commercial dispute with Kagem. The dispute centres on how, under the preceding government, Bisma Investments Limited obtained a mining licence inside the long-standing Kagem licence in contravention of Zambian law. Kagem is 75% owned by Gemfields in a model partnership with the Zambian government, which holds 25% via IDC. Kagem has operated in Lufwanyama with this ownership model since 2008, when Zambia was the world’s third largest emerald producer after Brazil and Colombia,” Langmead wrote.

We are not aware of any other emerald project in history that has delivered more value in absolute terms, or as large a proportion of true resource value, to a host nation. With two record-breaking emerald auctions already held in 2022, Zambia’s emerald resources are delivering more in-country earnings and benefits than ever before”

“Today, Zambia is the world’s no. 1 emerald producer and Kagem is the world’s largest emerald mine, an achievement of which all Zambians should be proud. Kagem has invested considerably in health, education and livelihood projects within the surrounding communities. Examples include the Nkana Health Centre, the Chapula Secondary School, the Chapula Primary School, teachers’ accommodation at the Kapila Community School and support for the Blessing, Kapila Green Farms, Twende and Twasanta agricultural projects. Kagem has recently pledged USD 220,000 (K3.7 million) to support the Lumpuma Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society farming initiative, a project specifically designed to provide sustainable livelihoods for youths and to avoid their being exposed by syndicates to the many safety dangers prevalent in waste-dump digging where injury rates are both high and unreported,” he said.

Langmead said Kagem Mine is committed to transparency and accountability.

“Kagem’s projects include work specifically benefitting traditional chiefs, such as improvements to the palaces of Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma as well as rehabilitation of the 18.7km road connecting Chief Nkana and Chief Lumpuma’s chiefdoms from Kandole to Kafwaya village in Lufwanyama district. Just this week, Kagem signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Zambia (UNZA) to further the support that has been provided to students from the geological and mining engineering departments for more than eight years. Operationally, Kagem provides 1,150 direct jobs, with 94% of the workforce being Zambian citizens. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kagem’s principal operations were suspended for a year but no redundancies were made and employees continued to receive a monthly salary throughout,” he said.

Langmead concluded:”In furthering its commitment to transparency and accountability, Kagem pioneered the ‘G-Factor for Natural Resources’, a new measure promoting greater transparency regarding the percentage of a nation’s natural resource wealth that is shared with the host government. In the last ten years Kagem has paid more than US$ 123.6 million in mineral royalties, corporation tax and dividends to the Zambian Government, amounting to more than 18% of Kagem’s revenue during that period. Kagem invites other Zambian emerald producers to publish their G-Factors so that their contributions are also transparent for all stakeholders, including Zambia’s citizens, to see.”

FAZ Salutes Chipolopolo Fans After Massive Turn Out

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The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has hailed fans that turned up at National Heroes Stadium to support the Chipolopolo on Tuesday night during the Ivory Coast 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The vital win helped Zambia to pick up their first points in the qualifying campaign.

And FAZ president Andrew Kamanga has congratulated the Chipolopolo for the 2-1 victory against Comoros.

“On behalf of the FAZ executive committee and the entire football family, I wish to congratulate the Chipolopolo for their victory over the Comoros Islands. We particularly wish to pay tribute to the fans who filled up National Heroes Stadium,” Kamanga said in a media statement released by FAZ spokesperson Sydney Mungala.

“The fans are the lifeblood of the game, and ours on Tuesday night made us proud. There is no doubt that the boys felt the positive energy from the fans throughout the 90 minutes.”

Mansa Shopping complex set for completion in August

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Mansa Shopping complex set for completion in August

Palsana Investments Limited the company contracted to work on the Mansa shopping complex has disclosed that completion of the structure is expected in August this year.

Giving a briefing when Luapula Province Minister Derricky Chilundika inspected the construction, Palsana Investments Limited, Investments Manager Hakeem Chembe said the structure has advanced with most work done up to 80 percent.

Mr. Chembe stated that once other works such as the bridge which separates Mansa town and the location of the Mall are worked on, the shopping complex will be officially opened to the public for business towards the end of the year.

“We are about 80 to 85 percent complete and there is also additional funding that will have to go into the full completion of the development,” he disclosed.

Mr. Chembe also confirmed that Choppies supermarket has expressed interest to operate at the Mall and an offer has been signed to set up its business at the premises.

“We expect Choppies supermarket to come into the Province for the first time. They are a very good and reliable supermarket, their product lines are obviously affordable and we are very excited that they took the step to be part of the development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chilundika noted that private sector participation in the country’s economy is what will make the nation progress.

Mr. Chilundika was impressed with the Palsana Investments Limited, for the works done on the structure.

“It is a plus to our province, it is a plus to our district Mansa and what I would want to see is that as a government we come in to support this investment to the best of our ability, and the good part is that we are a government that values time,” he said.

Mr. Chilundika assured Palsana Investments Limited of government support to ensure that the project is successful.

Govt committed to promote cassava value chain – VEEP

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Govt committed to promote cassava value chain – VEEP

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the new dawn government is keen to promote the cassava value chain in its quest to diversify the agricultural sector and transform the economy.

Mrs. Nalumango says there is need to fully exploit the potential in commercial cassava production which has for a long-time been overlooked.

Cassava is a viable cash crop owing to its increasing demand for commercial purposes and could help to alleviate poverty.

Mrs. Nalumango said in a speech read for her by Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao at the launch of the Itabwa Cassava Processing Plant in Kasama.

“Cassava is one of the most grown crops at subsistence level, yet the crop has huge potential for commercial value and poverty alleviation.” Mrs. Nalumango said.

She added that the new dawn administration will also work with traditional leaders in encouraging people to increase cassava yields and exploit  the available market both locally and internationally.

“The demand for cassava has significantly increased over the last three years, mainly due to its use in ethanol production, ” she said

Mrs. Nalumango commended Chief Kaputa for spearheading the US$200, 000 project, supported by MUSIKA Zambia and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC).

Mrs. Nalumango expressed confidence that the initiative will help to increase economic activities through the out-grower schemes and job creation.

And Chief Kaputa, who is the board chairperson of Itabwa Investments, said the commissioning of the Cassava Processing Plant the  beginning of a journey to reduce poverty levels in Northern Province and beyond.

He said advancement of agriculture production and industrialization of rural areas are key drivers in alleviating poverty.

Chief Kaputa has since pledged his support to stimulate cassava production and economic growth not only in his chiefdom but the entire Northern region.

“This milestone is the realization of a dream to lift our people out of poverty, as traditional leaders we too can play a role in contributing to economic development.” Chief Kaputa said.

He disclosed that the project is expected to create fifty direct jobs and over six thousand indirect jobs at full-scale implementation.

Earlier, MUSIKA Managing Director Reuben Banda said his organization will continue to provide both technical and financial support towards the enhancement of the cassava value chain.

Mr. Banda added that MUSIKA is proud to partner with Itabwa Investments in promoting the production of cassava among small-scale farmers especially women.

And CEEC representative Kacha Mutenda said the establishment of the Cassava Flour Processing Plant at the Kasama Industrial Yard is a game changer for the area.

Mr Mutenda said the development was welcome for local farmers who previously faced challenges in accessing markets.

Meanwhile, ZHONGKAI International Managing Director, Chen Guiping urged local cassava farmers to explore different varieties and seize the opportunity to increase productivity.

Mr. Chen also thanked government for reducing excise duty in the manufacturing of ethanol from 125 percent to 60 percent.

Itabwa Investments began its operations in 2017 and is run by the Kaputa Royal Establishment.

The company has so far received support of K2.6 million and over K500, 000 from MUSIKA and CEEC respectively.

Chiefs from various provinces witnessed the launch of Itabwa Investments Cassava Processing Plant in Kasama

GBM gets 300,000 bail

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GBM gets 300,000 bail

PF member Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba popularly known as GBM has been granted bail of K300,000 by the Lusaka Magistrate Court.

GBM appeared in Court today for counts he faces of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and conflict of interest involving millions of kwachas and thousands of dollars respectively.

GBM was yesterday arrested by a joint investigations team and charged with 8 counts of Conflict of Interest and 19 counts of being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.

GBM was remanded in custody, however today after applying for bail, he has been granted bail at a value of K300,000.

He is set to appear on June 14 for plea.

“Corrupt” ACC senior officer Siwakwi placed on forced leave, faces dismissal

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“Corrupt” ACC senior officer Siwakwi placed on forced leave, faces dismissal

The Anti-Corruption Commission has placed its senior Investigations Officer Christopher Siwakwi on forced leave for improper conduct.

Mr. Siwakwi was served with a letter of suspension last week after internal investigations found him wanting on a number of offences.

ACC Spokesperson Queen Chibwe confirmed that Mr. Siwakwi was asked to “step aside.”

“Yes it is true he was written to, j saw the letter but I cannot just remember it’s contents. All the cases he was handling have been handed Ivey to other officers because we work as a team,” Mrs. Chibwe said.

A number of individuals and organisations had raised complaints against Mr. Siwakwi alleging that he is one of the most corruption ACC officers.

He is the officer who was implicated in a leaked audio soliciting for a bride from then Infrastructure Minister Ronald Chitotela in 2019 in order to drop an investigation against Mr. Chitotela.

Mr. Siwakwi was also implicated in the disappearance of around US$9,000 from the ACC vault in unexplained circumstances.

He is also the same officer who is accused of having pointed a gun and threatened to shoot Amos Chanda’s wife when he went to search a property as part of an investigation.

Highly placed sources at ACC have confirmed that Mr. Siwakwi was asked to stay away from home and that he is likely to be fired after serving the suspension.#

“The findings of the investigations were very damaging to him and it also implicates the Acting D.G (Silumesi Muchula). The man has been doing a lot of corrupt activities and dragging the name of the Commission and the axe had to fall on him,” the source revealed.

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