Former employees of Munali Nickel Mine have intensified their appeal for intervention over unpaid salaries, pension contributions and other outstanding obligations, with a named worker detailing how the situation unfolded on the ground.

The workers say the mine, currently under care and maintenance, still owes them several entitlements despite the appointment of a liquidator and repeated attempts to resolve the matter through official channels. They maintain that deductions were made from their earnings but were not remitted to the relevant institutions.

In a formal appeal, the former employees listed outstanding obligations that include three months’ unpaid salaries, pension contributions under Saturnia, unpaid National Health Insurance Management Authority contributions and gratuities. They state that these obligations remain unsettled.

The case is now reinforced by testimony from one of the affected workers, Moses Musonda, who identified himself as a former employee at Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka, Kafue. His account provides a sequence of events that aligns with the broader complaint raised by the workers.

“I’m Moses Musonda, I’m one of Mazabuka employees at Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka, Kafue. What is happening at the ground, they haven’t paid us our terminal benefits,” he said.

Musonda said the situation dates back to June last year, when workers were informed of financial difficulties at the mine. He stated that the company indicated it did not have the capacity to continue operations under the prevailing conditions.

“It started last year in June. They were saying they don’t have the money to run the company,” he said.

He explained that the company was later placed under liquidation, with assurances that employees would be paid their terminal benefits. According to his account, those assurances have not been fulfilled.

“Then later on, they put the company on liquidation and they choose a liquidator. After choosing the liquidator, they told us that we are going to be paid our terminal benefits. Up to now, they haven’t paid our terminal benefits.”

Musonda said the company attributed its financial position to market conditions linked to commodity pricing and operational costs. He added that workers were informed of plans to secure new investment.

“They were saying the nickel price on London Metal Exchange was down according to the operation cost challenges they are having at the mine. They will find a new partner to pump in the capital to run the mine. Up to now, they haven’t given us a concrete position.”

He further stated that prior to the liquidation process, workers were placed on administrative leave with assurances that salaries would continue to be paid. According to his account, that arrangement did not materialise in practice.

“Before it started, they forced us on administration leave, they told us, go home, we’ll be paying you monthly when you are at home,” he said.

Musonda stated that although payslips continued to be issued, the corresponding payments were not made. He added that statutory deductions were still reflected despite not being remitted.

“We received payslips, but they were not depositing our salaries or remitting them, even our NHIMA, NAPSA and our pension schemes, they were not remitting, but they were deducting us through the payslip.”

He said the situation persisted until November 2025, when termination letters were issued to the workers. That marked the end of employment without settlement of the outstanding obligations.

“Until last November, last year in November 2025, they sent us our termination letters.”

The broader group of former employees states that despite the appointment of a liquidator, there has been limited progress in resolving the matter. They say engagement efforts have not yielded satisfactory outcomes.

Attempts to seek intervention from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the Labour Commissioner’s office, have also not resulted in a resolution. The workers indicate that the matter remains unresolved despite these approaches.

They describe the impact as significant, stating that the situation has placed financial and emotional strain on affected individuals and their families. The outstanding obligations, they maintain, involve earnings already deducted or owed under contractual arrangements.

The workers are now calling for urgent attention to ensure that the obligations are settled. They are also seeking wider visibility for the matter, expressing hope that this will prompt action from relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Mine Contractors, Factories and Allied Workers Union President, Nkweto Kasonka, has disclosed that 15 manganese processing factories in Central Province have resumed operations after they were forced to shut down due to prolonged load shedding.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr Kasonka said the shutdown of the 15 factories in 2025, led to significant job losses, with over 2,000 workers affected in areas such as Kabwe, Serenje and surrounding districts.

He confirmed that all the affected factories have since resumed operations, with a substantial number of workers reinstated.

The Union President pointed out that most of the factories are currently operating at only 50 percent capacity due to limited power supply.

Mr Kasonka has since appealed to the government to further engage ZESCO Limited to increase electricity allocation to the affected industries.

“We are happy that the factories have resumed operations and workers are back, but we appeal to the government to ensure full power supply so that companies can operate at 100 percent capacity,” he said.

He emphasised that full power supply would enable the factories to operate at maximum capacity and create more employment opportunities.

Mr Kasonka also raised concern over the high cost of copper for local industries, noting that companies are forced to buy the commodity at international prices despite it being produced locally.

He urged the government to consider policy interventions that would allow local firms to access copper at more competitive rates, stating that such measures would strengthen domestic production and industrial growth.

The Zambia Army in North-Western Province has called for enhanced collaboration with First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident to strengthen security and disaster preparedness in Kalumbila District.

 North-Western Province Formation Commander Brigadier General Barry Mutale made the call during a tour of FQM Trident operations, stating that the visit was aimed at consolidating the existing partnership and identifying new areas of cooperation, particularly in disaster management.

Brigadier General Mutale said changing global weather patterns have increased the risk of disasters, making preparedness a priority for the province.

He noted that closer collaboration between the Zambia Army and FQM will improve response capacity, especially by leveraging the mining firm’s equipment and expertise.

Brigadier General Mutale added that the Army remains ready to provide security support and consultations, as it is mandated to ensure safety across the Province.

He also commended FQM Trident for its environmental sustainability efforts, expressing optimism that the Army could learn from the company’s initiatives.

And First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident General Manager Scott Whitehead, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Zambia Army.

Mr Whitehead said the mining firm values the role played by the Army in maintaining national security and emphasised the importance of partnerships in emergency preparedness, response and security coordination.

He added that FQM remains committed to safe operations, sustainability and contributing to Zambia’s economy through employment creation, infrastructure development and local procurement.

Meanwhile, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Trident Senior Public Relations Specialist Mirriam Harmon described the company’s US$2.5 billion investment as a national asset with significant economic benefits.

Ms Harmon said collaboration with security institutions is key to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting communities and securing equipment.

She noted that the partnership extends beyond the mine to supporting surrounding communities, particularly in times of emergencies such as displacement.

Ms Harmon further highlighted that rapid population growth in Kalumbila, driven by increased investment, presents both opportunities and security challenges.

She however, expressed confidence in security agencies including the Zambia Police to maintain law and order and sustain a conducive environment for investment.

Ms Harmon emphasised the need for continued collaboration among stakeholders to promote stability and protect investments in the region.

Eight employees at Yellow Stripes, a scrap metal company, have sustained serious burns following an explosion at the firm’s facility in Chambishi area of Kalulushi District.

Kitwe Teaching Hospital General Surgeon, Dr. Encok Soko, said four of the injured were admitted to the hospital around 03:00 hours, with three currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Soko explained that the four male patients admitted at the facility suffered mixed burns ranging between 75 and 90 percent, describing the injuries as both superficial and deep.

He added that the remaining four injured employees are admitted to Royal Medical Centre, where their condition is reported to be stable.

Meanwhile, one of the affected workers, Justine Nshimbi of Chambishi, told the media that the explosion is believed to have been caused by overloading scrap metal into the furnace.

Authorities have since launched investigations into the incident to establish the exact cause of the explosion and assess whether safety procedures were followed at the plant.

Labour and safety officials are also expected to inspect the facility, as concerns grow over adherence to occupational health and safety standards in the scrap metal processing sector.

The incident has raised fresh calls for stricter enforcement of industrial safety regulations to prevent similar accidents and protect workers in high-risk environments.

A Zambian man has died after being brutally attacked by a mob in Tunduma, Tanzania, following accusations that he had “magically stolen” a boy’s private parts.

The deceased, identified as Phillip Zvaipa Zimhinda, had crossed into Tunduma from Zambia to purchase rice when the incident occurred.

According to reports, a young boy persistently followed Phillip, urging him to buy goods from a particular seller. Phillip allegedly pushed the boy away in an attempt to stop the harassment, after which the boy briefly left the scene.

Moments later, the boy returned with a group of people, accusing Phillip of stealing his private parts through alleged supernatural means. Without verifying the claim, the mob descended on Phillip and began assaulting him.

The situation quickly escalated, with some individuals reportedly bringing a car tyre in an attempt to burn him alive.

Tanzanian police, who were alerted by their Zambian counterparts in Nakonde, arrived at the scene and rescued Phillip. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe injuries and heavy bleeding. Sadly, he later succumbed to his injuries.

This tragic incident reflects a growing and dangerous trend of mob justice linked to accusations of “private parts theft,” which have surfaced in several areas. Similar cases were previously reported in Kasumbalesa on the Zambia–DRC border, later spreading to Chingola and Kalumbila’s Kisasa area, where a woman, Eneless Kamutumbe, was also killed under similar circumstances.

Authorities have repeatedly warned against taking the law into one’s own hands and urged members of the public to report suspicions to law enforcement instead of resorting to violence.

The killing of Phillip adds to the rising concern over misinformation, superstition and mob justice, which continue to claim innocent lives if not urgently addressed.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says the government will not segregate the distribution of development across the country.

Mrs Nalumango notes that this is evidenced by how all constituencies are getting a fair share of development through various government policies and initiatives such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The media reports that the Vice President said this when she addressed Mansa residents and party officials who welcomed her at Mansa Airport.

“President Hakainde Hichilema is working hard for all Zambians. He does not segregate development because all constituencies are now receiving CDF, free education and many others and will continue to deliver because development is a process. It doesn’t happen at once,” she said.

Mrs Nalumango is on a four-day working visit to Luapula Province where she is expected to visit Kawambwa, Chienge Mwense, Lunga and Milenge Districts to assess areas affected by floods.

She expressed concern over the widespread floods in Luapula Province.

” We have seen how devastating the floods have been on our people but this government is on the ground assessing the impact and implementing relief efforts for our people,” Ms Nalumango said.

Meanwhile, Luapula Province Minister, Nason Musonda, disclosed that most districts have been affected by floods in the province with Lunga, Kawambwa, Chienge and Milinge as worst hit.

And Mr Musonda indicated that the Province is a proud beneficiary of various government policies especially in the education sector which are transforming the province.

” Enhanced CDF has facilitated infrastructure development. Maternity annexes are being built, classroom blocks are being put up and Luapula will no longer be behind but lead,” he said.

Mr Musonda assured of the overwhelming support from the region in the August 2026 General Elections based on the performance of the party in the province.

” Come August General Elections, Luapula will give 100 percent to President Hichilema due to the developments we have recorded here which are visible ,” Mr Musonda said.