Chief Mbang’ombe of the Chewa people in Katete in Eastern Province has castigated Dunavant Zambia Limited for exploiting workers and failing to plough back some of its profits to the community where itoperates from.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS today, Chief Mbang’ombe said the company was not helping the local community as it was only concerned with makin profit.
The chief said the company employed people from other provinces for senior positions and only offered casual jobs to local people regardless of their qualifications.
 Chief Mbang’ombe also accused the cotton company of failing to fulfill the promise it made when acquiring the land for business operations that it would be manufacturing blankets and employ local people to ensure development of the area and its people.
He noted that there are several areas of need such as community schools, clinics
and orphans through which Dunavant could plough back its profits to assist the
community.ÂÂ
 The chief said he wants investors who have the interest of the locals at heart.ÂÂ
 He said as much as the country was in need of investors, it was important to give those investors guidelines so that local people are not exploited in their land.ÂÂ
He said foreign direct investment should result in the development of the
country and its people.
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Dunavant’s cotton ginnery in Katete is about the largest cotton processing plant
in the country.
