Kagem Mining, which operates the largest emerald mine in the world, in Lufwanyama, has signed a collective agreement with unions under which unionized employees will receive a 10% increase in basic salary for 2020 and a further 10% increase for 2021.

The collective agreement followed successful negotiations between management and representatives of the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers and the Mine Workers Union of Zambia, in which it was also agreed to enhance the company pension contribution from 15% to 20% of basic pay, bringing the effective salary increase to 15% for 2020 and 2021, and the overall increase to 22.5% over the next two years.

The parties further agreed to enhance repatriation allowance by 11% and raise the education allowance by 125% recognising the importance of education of employees’ children. Transport allowance has also been increased.

A new grading structure will be implemented and all conditions of employment have been aligned to the Employment Code Act number 3 of 2019.

Kagem Board Chairman Dr Sixtus Mulenga commended union representatives for the efficient and professional manner in which negotiations were conducted.

He said the salary increment reflects expected cost of living increases, and additional benefit increases are in line with industry expectations, while recognising the need for continued investment in the gemstone sector.

The agreement was also welcomed by Boniface Mutale, Director on the Board of Kagem representing the government, who thanked management for their input in the negotiations.

Mr Mutale said this is a win-win outcome that recognises employee input while also ensuring that Kagem continues to be a flag-bearer for the colored gemstone sector, putting Zambian emeralds on the world map through continued investment in production and marketing.”

The company is owned 75% by London-based Gemfields in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation, which holds 25% on behalf of the Zambian Government.

FAZ has reported Sports Minister, Emmanuel Mulenga, to FIFA, for alleged interference in the running of football in the country.

The Sports Minister has confirmed this in Lusaka, saying FAZ has accused him of trying to change the association’s Constitution, ahead of its elective AGM this March.

Mulenga has told a media briefing in Lusaka that the Ministry of Sports, through the National Sports Council, will write to FIFA to clarify on the allegations made by FAZ.

He has added that he has NOT interfered with the running of football in any way, as his ministry simply wrote to FAZ, indicating that the forthcoming FAZ elections in March should be free and fair.

Meanwhile, Mulenga says FAZ has NOT officially notified the Ministry on who they have selected for the vacant national football team coach.

Mulenga has refuted claims by Football House that it has submitted the name of the Coach that has been settled for to the Ministry for approval.

He says as it stands his Ministry cannot act on media reports as there has been no official communication from FAZ.

Mulenga says he has noreason to be a stumbling block in the process of engaging the Chipolopolo Coach, adding that FAZ should just follow the normal channel of communication.

But FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala, earlier told ZNBC sports in a telephone interview that FAZ submitted all the necessary documentation to Sports Permanent Secretary, Joe Kapembwa.

Global Frontiers International Trust Limited (GFI), a Zambian faith-based organisation has expressed commitment to replicate Rwanda’s unity and reconciliation model to Zambia and other African countries.

The commitment was made on Tuesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the organisation’s founder Dr Joshua Banda and Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC).

The agreement aims at building collaboration in respect to the Commission’s mandate towards preserving peace, unity and reconciliation ideals thereby contributing to the global cause of achieving social cohesion, socio-economic development, good governance, conflict prevention and resolution.

Prior to the agreement, the organisation conducted study tours to different parts of Rwanda for two years to learn more about Rwanda’s unity and reconciliation model in communities so as to replicate it in Zambia and other countries.

Bishop Banda said the agreement will enable his organization to contribute to the greater pan-African goals of both the African Union as well as many other institutions that act at the pan-African level to be able to bring African people together.

“Rwanda has achieved a lot in unity and reconciliation among its citizens and, as a result of that, there was a desire to see how we can collaborate and maybe extend some experience and mutual efforts towards building greater cohesion not just in Rwanda but in many parts of our continent,” Bishop Banda said after signing the MoU.

“There are still conflicts and tensions across the continent and there is need to be able to grow some levels of cohesion and more peaceful coexistence of our great people of Africa,” he added.

The collaboration envisaged under the memorandum will involve the Commission using the services of GFI in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Bishop John Rucyahana, the president of Unity and Reconciliation Commission, thanked GIF for their commitment to extend the model towards building a United Africa.

“This is a call of deeper challenge not only to sign but to also ensure what we sign is put into action to create awareness among Africans of what Africa is and the purpose for which Africa exists,” Rucyahana said.

He, however, insisted that the agreement was not meant to bring Rwandans living in Zambia and other countries back to Rwanda but a campaign through which the world will know the truth about the Genocide against the Tutsi and share the Rwanda’s journey to build unity and reconciliation among their citizens.

“We want our people to be healthy, productive, honorable and exemplary wherever they are and have a clean and clear conscience. If the campaign becomes successful, then the world will hopefully know the truth about Rwanda’s past and become open to extraditing Genocide fugitives hiding out there because they will have no more excuses anymore,” he said.

There are an estimated 4,000 Rwandans living in Zambia.

MINISTER of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has called for national prayers following the spate of alleged ritual killings in some parts of the Copperbelt.

Reverend Sumaili told journalists at a press briefing, Thursday morning, that the government is concerned about the unfortunate situation hence President Edgar Lungu’s intervention to task Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence to investigate the matter and restore unity.

She noted that peace should be natured in the country because in its absence, there is fear which breeds hate, violence, disorder, confusion, and anxiety as well as affects productivity.

“Am calling for effective and fervent prayers from the children of God, intercessory teams, intercessors, families and all peace-loving Zambians to arise and pray. I encourage the church mother bodies to encourage their members to pray,” Reverend Sumaili said.

She has further called on all Zambians to cooperate with the defense and security wings in maintaining law and order and avoid taking the law in own hands.

Reverend Sumaili has also warned those circulating videos where people are being murdered to stop immediately as they have the potential to spread confusion and plant seeds of violence and death.

“I encourage the people of Zambia to stand together and restore calm and peace. We will hold hands in prayer as one Zambia one nation because blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” Reverend Sumaili said.

Government has released K12 million to be used for repair works on the damaged road infrastructure following heavy rains in various parts of the country.

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Vincent Mwale says the release of the money is just the beginning of more funds to be released as the situation continues to be changing on the ground.

Mr Mwale said his Ministry is very grateful to President Edgar Lungu for ensuring that the funds are released as early as possible for the emergency repair works in order to alleviate the suffering of our people in the affected areas.

He said following the heavy rains the country is receiving, there has been wash-aways in Chipangali, Mambwe and Nyimba districts in Eastern Province and also in Munyumbwe, Gwembe and Sinazongwe districts in Southern Province.

Mr Mwale added that Government Zambia is determined to ensure that all damaged infrastructure is attended to as soon as possible and has assure the people in the affected areas that Government has not abandoned them and it is working round the clock so that connectivity is restored.

He said his Ministry is working with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to respond quickly and inspect and assess some of the affected areas so as to restore connectivity.

Mr Mwale has instructed the Road Development Agency to be on full alert and respond to all reports on infrastructure damage swiftly.

Some of the affected roads include Five wash-aways in Chipangali namely Msandile, Msoro, Mabele, Mphawa and Ntope and Masumba road to Chief Nsefu in Mambwe District.

Other areas including Lupande and Msandile crossings, Ngozi Culvert in Nyimba District on the Great East Road (T004); and Munyumbwe, Gwembe and Sinazongwe districts in Southern Province.

He said the 2019/2020 season has experienced normal to above normal rains and said since December 2019, the rains have intensified in most parts of the country including Eastern, Southern and Northern Provinces resulting in flash floods in some areas.

Mr Mwale said consequently, the road infrastructure in the affected areas has suffered damage of various degrees resulting in some communities being completely cut-off.