Reuters reports that First Quantum Minerals has begun arbitration proceedings against Zambian state miner ZCCM-IH to try to resolve a dispute about a money transfer to the parent company of Kansanshi Mining, which is majority-owned by the Toronto-listed group.

The arbitration proceedings follow a criminal complaint made by ZCCM-IH with allegations of an unauthorised transfer of money by Kansanshi Mining to First Quantum’s local subsidiary.

First Quantum’s shares fell nearly 3% on Friday.

In a separate case ZCCM-IH began action in October 2016 to sue First Quantum for $1.4 billion over claims that the Canadian company borrowed $2.3 billion from its Zambian copper mining subsidiary Kansanshi without informing ZCCM-IH, a minority shareholder.

The transfer in the latest case was made between Kansanshi Mining, which is 80% owned by First Quantum and 20% owned by ZCCM-IH, to Kansanshi Holdings – the Zambian-registered vehicle through which First Quantum owns its majority stake.

A ZCCM-IH official, who declined to be identified, said the company had received information on Friday that Kansanshi Holdings intended to appeal for arbitration over the dispute.

The source declined further comment.

First Quantum was involved in a dispute with the Zambian government after being handed a $5.8 billion bill for unpaid import duties last year.

First Quantum’s second quarter results issued in July state its subsidiary Kalumbila Minerals had reached a settlement with the Zambia Revenue Authority “with respect to the assessment claim on duties”.

It does not name the figure, although a separate document seen by Reuters shows the figure to be 304 million Zambian kwacha ($21 million).

Tensions have been running high between western mining companies and several African governments this year as they have sought to increase their share of revenues from national resources.

Mumbai-listed Vedanta has been locked in a dispute with the Zambian government since May, when Lusaka appointed a liquidator to run Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), which is 20% owned by Zambian state mining company ZCCM and the rest by Vedanta. ($1 = 14.3500 Zambian kwachas) (Reporting by Chris Mfula Additional reporting by Barbara Lewis and Jeff Lewis in Toronto Writing by Tim Cocks Editing by Louise Heavens and Grant McCool)

The Zambia Land Alliance is concerned with reports that Grandview Academy wants the residents of Chitalo and Shangoma villages of the Shimabala area, Kafue district to exhume and relocate the remains of their relatives that were buried near the school.

Research by the Alliance has revealed that Grandview Academy has been constructed on a portion of land adjacent to an old burial site which was used by the people of the two named villages up to 2009.

Patrick Musole, the Alliance Executive Director said this burial site is now closed but the school has since directed the community members in the two villages of Chitalo and Shangoma to exhume the remains of their relatives and relocate them so that the school can construct teachers’ houses on the gravesite.

Mr Musole said the Alliance has been informed that the school is willing to provide coffins and labour to exhume the remains, but have not provided alternative land to rebury the remains.

“One family is claiming to have six family members buried on the same site. Zambia Land Alliance is of the view that this is not only unprecedented but unZambian and is at odds with our cultural norms and values that respect the dead”, he said.

Mr. Musole said the Alliance has seen graveyards that sit on land that has been acquired by investors, including foreign investors.

“Out of respect for our cultural values and norms, they have only fenced off the gravesites without tempering with them, while allowing relatives access to the gravesites. We have seen that in Kalumbila, Mpongwe, and even within Lusaka, behind Manda Hill Shopping Mall”, he added.

Mr. Musole said the Alliance, therefore, finds this excessive appetite for land by the Management of Grandview Academy to the point of not minding displacing the dead, unacceptable.

He has called on the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, Chiefs and Traditional Affairs to intervene and protect that gravesite.

Mr. Musole has also advised members of the public, institutions and all stakeholders that as the Alliance welcomes development in this country, it is the duty of every Zambian to protect cultural heritage, values, and norms that define Zambia as a people.

Horizon School situated in Kabulonga area in Lusaka is on the verge of being demolished to pave way for the Construction of a Shopping Mall.

The information has emerged that President Edgar Lungu wants to buy the land on which the school sits for the construction of a shopping mall.

Leslie Mbula, the Board Chairperson for Horizon School has confirmed seeing a Government Gazette which shows that the President has expressed interest to buy off the land.

Mr Mbula has lamented that once displaced; the over 500 pupils and 46 teachers employed will have nowhere to go as they cannot fit in government schools due to the discipline they have learnt.

He has since appealed to President Edgar Lungu to rescind his decision to buy off the land and allow the pupils to continue with their education.

Efforts to get a comment from Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata and her General Education Counterpart David Mabumba proved futile by broadcast time.

In August this year, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo ordered the demolition of Malata Market in Kabulonga which is adjacent to Horizon school.

The traders at the market accused Mr. Lusambo of selling the land to investors who now want to develop the area but Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa said though the settlement is illegal; an alternative site has to be found before evicting the residents.

Vice President Inonge Wina says the government has no intention of disbanding the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

Ms. Wina has said there are currently no compelling reasons to disband the institution.

The Vice President also says the FIC will not be merged with any other investigative institution.

She says the FIC has been formed under the Patriotic Front (PF) administration through an Act of parliament.

She was reacting to United Party for National Development -UPND Mongu Central Member of Parliament Mwilola Imakando in parliament today who sought clarification on allegations that the government wants to merge FIC with one of the Investigative institutions.

This was during the Vice President’s Question Time for Oral Answer.

National Democratic Congress Leader Chishimba Kambwili says Government is not serious in addressing the power deficit that the country is facing.

And Dr. Kambwili has challenged Government to state the exact position on the much talked about Zesco/Eskom deal.

Dr Kambwili said the Zesco/Eskom deal seems to be a none starter because of conflicting statements coming out of Eskom in South Africa and Zesco management.

Earlier this week, Eskom officials told authorities in South Africa that they had shelved intentions of exporting power to other SADC countries including Zambia because they too are facing a power deficit.

Dr. Kambwili is urging Government to find a pragmatic approach immediately to hand the acute power shortage.

He has also challenged Zambians to be proactive and speak out on issues affecting them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kambwili has advised President Edgar Lungu to discipline his political advisor Kaizer Zulu following latest assault allegations involving the controversial State House aide.

UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema has appealed to more cooperating partners to come through to address the US$86.3 million gap in the money required to feed the over 2.3 million hungry Zambians.

Mr Hichilema says the places he has visited are critically in need of food.

He said if not the full budget, Cooperating partners should at least prioritize the US$52.3 million required for food security.

Mr Hichilema said the Zambian Government is grappling with a huge debt repayment burden, which makes it difficult to respond to this situation.

He also urged Zambians to come through and assist the people who are under threat due to starvation saying any little contribution will go a long way.

“According to the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Zambia 2019 – 2020, about 2.3 million Zambians will need food until the next harvest. Out of this number over 450,000 need food immediately”, he said.

He explained that the total amount required is US$89.5 million (K1.3 billion) and According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Financial Tracking Service, Zambia has pledged for humanitarian assistance of US$9.6 million, out of which US$6.4 million is for the refugee program living the HRP with US$3.2 million (3.5%) of total requirements.

Mr. Hichilema emphasized that 2.3 million people in this food crisis will need your assistance.