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ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Chriticles Mwansa told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday that he does not condone violence and disturbances at the place of work.
Mr Mwansa said that is why he got concerned when it was reported to him that two senior ZRA officers had engaged in a fight within ZRA premises.
This is in a case in which dismissed ZRA assistant commissioner George Siame is facing one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 248 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
It is alleged that on November 30 last year, Siame assaulted ZRA director of human resources Roselyn Kaeli at Revenue House in Lusaka.
“I rushed to Victoria Hospital from my home during lunch time to check on the condition of Ms Kaeli. I went to the hospital in my capacity as ZRA chief executive officer after receiving information about the fight,” Mwansa said.
He told magistrate William Banda that he found Ms Kaeli’s face swollen and took pictures of her as part of evidence.
Mwansa said he was not bothered to check on Siame because he was reported not to be in danger.
He said he has much interest in the matter because it involves two senior officers at ZRA.
He said it was the first time a fight involving senior management officers had been reported in the institution.
Mwansa told the court that Siame was given an opportunity to exculpate himself against the charge.
And during cross-examination, Mwansa said as chairperson of the ZRA appeals committee, he had not been biased towards Ms Kaeli in handling the matter.
Mwansa said he signed Siame’s dismissal letter to confirm management’s decision that he had been relieved of his duties.
FLASHBACK: A female youth member of the UPND tries to give flowers to Hichilema at Lusaka international airport
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has accused its pact partners, the Patriotic Front (PF) of behaving like it was more superior than UPND.
Copperbelt UPND provincial chairperson has also said the PF has blown the emergency Kitwe meeting recently chaired by party’s vice-president Richard Kapita, out of proportion.
Mr Matambo said yesterday the UPND in the province was disappointed with the behaviour by the PF and urged their pact partners to respect the UPND as it was equally strong on the Copperbelt.
Mr Matambo was disappointed with Nkana Member of Parliament (MP) Mwenya Musenge for thinking the PF was more superior than the UPND on the Copperbelt and demanded that the PF should respect his party because they needed them in the pact.
Mr Matambo was reacting to Mr Musenge’s condemnation of the meeting held at Kitwe Little Theatre on Friday last week where it was alleged that the UPND had resolved to back President Rupiah Banda if its party president Hakainde Hichilema was not picked as the pact’s presidential candidate.
“The PF should realise the meeting was purely a UPND meeting. PF has been having its own meetings without UPND members attending and we have not been complaining. We now wonder why they should be jittery whenever we hold our meetings,” Mr Matambo said.
[pullquote]“The PF should realise the meeting was purely a UPND meeting. PF has been having its own meetings without UPND members attending and we have not been complaining. We now wonder why they should be jittery whenever we hold our meetings,” Mr Matambo said.[/pullquote]
He said people and Zambians in general, should know that the UPND and the PF were two different political parties with each one working hard to reorganise itself.
“Mr Musenge should not think it is only the PF which is strong on the Copperbelt. He should realise that the UPND is not a dead party on the Copperbelt, we are equally strong and we demand the respect from PF because we need each other in the pact,” he said.
He said it was, infact, Mr Musenge who was in the forefront of hindering the progress of the pact in the province as he never wanted to organise meetings aimed at promoting common ground for the two parties.
ADD president Charles Milupi said the pact was formed as a result of the realisation by Mr Hichilema that his party had lost popularity and could not win any election.
Mr Milupi said in Lusaka yesterday in an interview that the weaknesses in the pact were long predicted because it was formed without consideration for the sticky issue of policy harmonisation, non-selfish agenda and balancing power among the leaders to secure the long term strength.
Mr Milupi said PF president Michael Sata and Mr Hichilema formed the pact without considering how they would relate policies that would guide education, health and agriculture.
He said before the formation of the pact, the two parties contradicted each other on windfall tax, the National Constitutional Conference but went ahead without much debate on these matters.
The two opposition political parties have offered separate candidates in a ward by-election in Chadiza in contravention of the ideals of the pact that provide that they would not compete against each other in future elections.
Parliament heard yesterday that the Zambia electricity supply corporation ZESCO raised 112 billion kwacha from the export of electricity to neighboring countries between 2007 and 2009.
Energy deputy Minister Imasiku Lubinda revealed that in 2007, ZESCO raised 22 billion kwacha alone, while in 2008, it racked 19 billion kwacha.
Mr. Lubinda also stated that last year, Zambia’s largest power utility company managed to raise 71 billion Kwacha.
He stated that five countries namely, Botswana, Namibia, Congo DR., Tanzania, Mozambique as the recipients of power from ZESCO.
He also said that the Zambia’s strategic position has made it possible for it to export power to other countries.
And Energy Minister Kenneth Konga has revealed that there is need for Zambia to invest in other energy areas.
Mr. Konga also told parliament that efforts are being made to ensure that Zambia is in track to explore other areas of energy.
He stated that if Zambia remains stagnant, then Zambia’s development in the energy sector will never be achieved.
[ QFM ]
Police in Mufumbwe have arrested Kajilo Muzungu , son of the losing Mufumbwe MMD parliamentary candidate Mulondwe Muzungu for three counts of manslaughter contrary to section 199,chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
On April 29th during the Mufumbwe by elections, Kajilo is alleged to have caused the death of the three people which consequently led to him being charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
According to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today by Police Spokesperson Bonny Kapeso, Kajilo appeared before Mufumbwe magistrate’s court yesterday where he was granted K10 million bail in his own cognizance with two local working sureties in Mufumbwe.
Kajilo’s arrest comes in the wake of a warn and caution statement recorded from him and the subsequent reference of his docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office as per requirement.
He will be committed to the High Court in Solwezi for proceedings in the matter.
[ QFM ]
Zambia have named former Juventus defender Dario Bonetti as coach to steer their bid to reach the next African Nations Cup finals for the 11th time in their last 12 attempts.
The Italian has signed a two-year deal and will take charge of the team for the first time in September when they start their qualifiers for the 2012 finals, Football Association of Zambia president Kalusha Bwalya told Reuters on Wednesday.
“We had a lot of applicants for the job but we think we have found the right guy. We want experience from the top level but also a youthful hunger,” he said.
The 48-year-old Bonetti, who also played for Roma and AC Milan and won two caps, has limited credentials having worked with brother Ivano at Dundee and coached several lower league Italian sides plus Dinamo,t Bucharest for three months last year.
Bonetti replaces Frenchman Herve Renard, who left the Zambia job to take over as Angola coach in April.
Zambia begin their Nations Cup campaign at home to the Comoros Islands in September and also face Mozambique and Libya in qualifying Group Three.
Commerce Minister Felix Mutati talks to journalists on the sale of Zamtel during a press briefing in Lusaka
Government has said that the sale of Zambia telecommunication company ZAMTEL is the highest ever achieved on the African continent.
Commerce Minister Felix Mutati told Parliament this afternoon that had Zamtel not been sold to Lap green networks of Libya, it was going to go bankrupt in October this year.
Mr. Mutati stated that that the consequences of bankrupt would have been too dear to contemplate.
He also claimed that the major business analyst world over have commended government for the successful sale of the telecommunication company.
He has also called on the Zambian people to mobilize resources to participate in the public listing of ZAMTEL, which has attracted public criticisms.
The commerce minister restated that the sale of ZAMTEL was not only done to bring in a new lease of Life to the Company but also reposition its role on the information technology communication.
The Zambia government sold 75 percent shares of telecommunication firm Zamtel to a Libyan telecommunications network, Lap Green for $257 million.
Lap Green has agreed to pay a total consideration of $257 million for the 75 percent equity in Zamtel whose 100 percent equity stands at $343 million.
[pullquote]He has also called on the Zambian people to mobilize resources to participate in the public listing of ZAMTEL, which has attracted public criticisms.[/pullquote]
In addition to the $257 million, Lap Green will provide $62 million in additional funding to finance part of the company’s network expansion programme and taking over government guarantees, relating to a further $75 million in vendor financing, covering Zamtel’s existing network expansion projects.
And Mr. Mutati has expressed confidence that the Zambian business environment will become more conducive after the liberalization of the international gateway.
Minister of health, Kapembwa Simbao has challenged Philips healthcare senior director JJ van Dongen, to thoroughly clarify his accessions that government and Phillips have entered into a 25 million Euro project which is to fund among other things, the installation and maintenance of diagnostic imaging equipment including mobile X-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound scanners, operating theatres and dental treatment systems.
Mr. Simbao further charged that government has no idea of any deals between the Republican president, Rupiah Banda and Philips that could have resulted in favoring the company and signing the alleged 25m Euro deal which has lately brought the reputation of his ministry into disrepute.
Responding to kafulafuta member of parliament, George Mpombo’s questioning of government’s decision to award Philips a 25 million euro contract to cover the upgrade and maintenance of equipment in 71 government hospitals nationwide, Mr. Simbao maintained that there is no such deal that the ministry has struck with the said company.
Mr. Simbao reiterated that the only agreement that government has entered into with Philips is a 5 year, 9.7 million euro project to maintain health equipment throughout the country.
956,000 euros, as the first installment for the 5 year project which was signed in February this year, has already been made through a payment that was done on 1st June 2010.
These payments are to be done every six months for the next 5 years.
Meanwhile, Mr. Simbao has called on the media to help exonerate all those who might be innocently implicated in this matter if the issue of this project is not properly handled.
He said that a lot of people might be dragged in the mud for nothing and if the matter is not properly clarified soon enough, Zambians will lose trust and begin to believe the few accessions that are currently going around about a deal that is non existent.
Central Province Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama has called on all parents in the province to take the Child Health Week and Measles Campaign very seriously and ensure that their children are vaccinated against measles and other serious diseases.
Mr. Lumbama said parents should take advantage of this week because government has prioritized the health of every child by establishing health facilities and trained personnel to provide free and quality care to both the newly –born and growing children in the country.
He was speaking this morning during the launch of the Child Health Week and Measles Campaign held at Makululu’s Kalungu Market in Kabwe.
The Permanent Secretary said because Child Health Week was intended for all parents that had children less than five years, all parents with children in this respect should ensure that their children are vaccinated according to the schedule on their child health clinic cards.
He said Child Health Week was a deliberate and supplementary exercise that was expected to capture not only children in the remotest parts of the country through outreach activities.
He therefore urged parents to take the week seriously because the campaign would not only benefit their children but even them because they would be able to get more information from health workers about nutrition, family planning and the general well-being of their children.
Mr. Lumbama said in this Health Week, Measles vaccination was more pronounced because there were a lot of measles outbreaks that were being reported from different parts of the country in the last few weeks and most of the children affected were those aged between 9 months and 4 years old.
He said Kabwe District has not been left out but has also reported a few cases of Measles and in order to curtail such a serious epidemic, government through the Ministry of Health has taken advantage of the Child health Week Exercise to fulfill its obligation of protecting other children from contracting the disease.
He further advised parents to follow instructions from health workers and avoid contact with children suspected to be suffering from measles whenever they head of an outbreak saying Measles among the five major diseases that killed and lowered the children’s’ immunity in the world.
He added that his passionate appeal was that all parents that had children aged between 9 months and 4 years old were taken to nearest health posts for vaccination against measles because that was the only sure way to mitigate the scourge.
Mr. Lumbama finally expressed gratitude at the reports reaching his office that a good number of husbands were spotted accompanying their wives to the vaccination centers and encouraged other men to be in the fore-front of fighting Measles by emulating their counterparts.
And Kabwe District Medical Officer Doctor Abel Kabalo has called for continued partnership between government and cooperating partners.
Dr. Kabalo said the Ministry of Health was especially grateful to Mirage Media for organizing this Health Week which has captured more than 200 children in the district.
He said the health of every child was very to the development of the country hence the need for other cooperating partners to come aboard and support important programmes that centered on the health of children such Child Health Week.
He said Child Health Week was not the concern of the Ministry of Health alone because children’s health affected everyone and as such, programmes bordering on children and other health issues needed conceited efforts.
Dr. Kabalo therefore appealed to NGO’s and other stakeholders to support the Ministry of Health in any means possible in order to enhance the children’s health as well as mitigate issues that affected them.
Nkana this afternoon snatched a late equalizer against Nchanga Rangers to gain their first point in two games.
A late goal from ex-Under-17 and Afrisports midfielder Mwila Kabwe earned Nkana a much needed point and some respite for caretaker coaches Fedelis “Josimar” Chungu and Fred “Schemer” Siame after two successive Faz Super Division defeats.
However, it might be too late to save the duo with either Kenneth “Bubble” Malitoli or Alfred Lupiya expected to be named as new coach before Friday although the duo is expected to remain as assistants.
Nkana move one place up the table from 11th to 10th place on 19 points from 16 games following their great escape act at their volatile home in Wusakile against Nchanga who opened scores through Floyd Phiri in the 24th minute.
Nchanga stay put in fourth place on 26 points from 16 games, five less than leaders Zesco United who are on 31 points with a game in hand after playing 15 matches.
And Zesco remain unbeaten in the league this season and remain at the top of the Super Division table after a 0-0 draw away to Choma Eagles in Maamba today.
Zesco enjoy a three point lead over second placed Green Buffaloes who exchanged places with Power Dynamos after a 2-0 away win over troubled City of Lusaka at Woodlands stadium in Lusaka.
Buffaloes collected the three points courtesy of goals from Kennedy Chola and Edward Museba in the 18th and 57th minutes respectively.
Power on the other hand drew 1-1 away at Konkola Blades after coming from 1-0 to share the points.
Felix Sunzu Jnr put Blades ahead in the 24th minute before Luka Lungu equalized five minutes before halftime.
Zambian student Emelio Mbozi at Kingston Maurward College has had an award created especially for himA ZAMBIAN student at Kingston Maurward College has received an accolade created especially for him, in recognition of his hard work and dedication.
Emelio Mbozi was presented with “The Principal’s Award for Dedication to Learning and Self Improvement” at the college’s annual prize-giving ceremony.
The 32-year-old has just completed a two-year National Diploma in Agriculture at the land-based Dorset campus and has returned home to Zambia for the first time since starting his studies.
“We have a range of prizes for our best students every year, but there wasn’t one that applied to Emelio under the current categories,” said Tim Stephens, head of agriculture, countryside and food at the college.
“But we felt his special qualities should be recognised so we created an award for him, and Novartis Animal Health kindly sponsored it.”
Emelio, who works as a government regional veterinary assistant in his home country, said at the ceremony he was looking forward to seeing his family again and hopes now to be promoted to livestock officer.
He travels between farms in southern Zambia administering vaccinations to cattle.
“I feel very honoured to get this award,” he said. “When I first arrived in the UK I thought it cold and the food strange.
“But I will miss Dorset and the friends I made here.”
Mr Stephens said: “Emelio impressed us because he came to an obviously very alien country to study in a foreign language, and took it all in his stride.
“He has been an inspiration to us and his fellow students.”
More than 115 further education students received awards at this year’s prize-giving ceremony.
Sports minister Kenneth Chipungu and his deputy Christopher Kalila going for the launch of the sports policy in Lusaka
Government says there’s need to enhance sporting infrastructure in the country in order to boost the morale of those involved in different sporting disciplines.
Sports, Youth and Child Development Minister Kenneth said lessons have been learnt from the just ended World Cup tournament in South Africa that it was only when the sporting infrastructure was conducive that the performance of footballers was excellent.
Chipungu was speaking in Kabwe this morning when he paid a courtesy call at Central Province Minister Ackimson Banda who was out of the Province on official duties but was represented by his Permanent Secretary Denny Lumbama.
He said government was already making efforts towards improving the country’s stadia and that Ndola Stadium which was currently under construction was one such example of government’s commitment.
He said government was also considering rehabilitating Kabwe Railways Stadium because of its proximity and central location and funds allowing, construction at the site will kick off.
Chipungu further stressed that government could not do this huge task alone but that it needed financial support from cooperating partners and other well-wishers.
The Minister therefore called on NGO’s and other cooperating partners to partner with government in ensuring that the country’s sporting infrastructure was improved.
Zambia wasted the opportunity to host the 2011 All Africa games citing the financial challenges that dogged the country following the global economic clump down early in the year.
Neighbouring Mozambique has however taken up the opportunity to host the prestigious games that will attract more than a third of the continent’s nations.
And Central Province Permanent Secretary has welcomed government’s decision to construct and rehabilitate sporting infrastructure in the country.
Lumbama says the gesture would go a long way in not only improving the performance of different sporting disciplines but also putting the country on the world map in terms of sports activities.
He said the move will also motivate funs who shunned sporting activities because of dilapidated infrastructure.
He said he was aware that government was doing everything possible in ensuring that the environment under which sporting activities were undertaken was favourable.
The Permanent Secretary however reiterated Chipungu’s ’s concerns that government alone could not manage to construct and sporting activities in the country without the support of cooperating partners and other well-wishers.
He further said the improved infrastructure would help boost the efforts footballers and those in other sporting disciplines such as athletes, Boxers and Basket-ballers.
The permanent Secretary said it was the responsibility of every patriotic Zambian to ensure that the sporting infrastructure was eminent and conducive.
He therefore appealed to all capable Zambians to partner with government by making viable contributions towards the improvement of the country’s stadia.
A Lusaka female entrepreneur displays her textile products at Lusaka Club
By Wesley Ngwenya
On Tuesday, I took the day off and wanted to prepare for a presentation I was to make the next day. I walked across the street from where I live to buy the paper. One my way from buying the paper, I was stopped by a young man who made a comment that he liked my outfit.
I was wearing a Sean John casual outfit suit. I asked him why he liked the Sean John outfit. “It is cool. The clothes are strong and original. That is what rappers in America wear because it is a very expensive brand,” shared the young man. We talked briefly with the young man and learned that he was unemployed and looking for employment.
This got me thinking about branding. It is true that Sean John has become a world class brand–a brand that can be associated to rap and wealth even by a young man in Lusaka, Zambia. By the way, this young man has never been to the United States let alone outside Zambia. Personally, Sean John and Enyce are among my favorite brands in casual clothing. I remember during my Dillard’s days in Wichita, Kansas. I had stocked up so much on these brands such that Dillard’s upgraded my credit card to an elite client.[pullquote]Why is it that Zambia has no outstanding brands that can compete favorably and fair well within the continent of Africa or even within the country itself?
[/pullquote]
Why is it that Zambia has no outstanding brands that can compete favorably and fair well within the continent of Africa or even within the country itself? There are probably many reasons, as outlined by many scholars that can be attributed to this. Personally, the first reason and perhaps most dangers is the “Foreign is Good” perception. Zambia today has very little it calls its own. Zamtel is Gone. Who’s next? Gone are the good old days when we manufactured clothes, blankets, bicycles, batteries, shoes, etc. Today we import toothpicks, toilet paper, cotton balls, nails, plastic bags, wires (even with the abundance of copper in Zambia) and the list goes on and on.
Our minds have been tuned to believe that foreign things are strong, better, reliable and make us feel good. Maybe this was true during the pre independence days. Maybe it was even true during the Kaunda days. But we have clearly seen and experienced that this is not true today. The many goods that flood our market today are poor in quality and yet expensive. Many of us will agree that one time or another we have bought something we thought was good quality but turned out to be the opposite. Don’t we have a word for that in Zambia? It is called Gon’ga—which pretty much means being cheated or undersold.
Because many of us have realized that foreign is not always good we need to turn to something local to meet our demands, but what can we find on the market that is local? This leads me to my next point; Zambia lacks vibrant local industries. Because we have not invested in the local industry, we have looked outside our borders. A well invested local industry is vital for a growing economy like Zambia. It is through this local industry that our goods will start competing with the foreign goods. These local goods will bring more revenue for the country than the foreign goods. Through the local industry more people will be in gainful employment and many people in our communities will benefit more.
What if Sean John set up a factory right here in Lusaka? Although, it will still be a foreign brand it will be within reach for the young man since he could get a job at the factory and be able to support his family. Better still, if our economy encouraged local entrepreneurship–we could set up our own local clothing company. This young man could be empowered with the right tools so that he can become his own boss. He could name the clothing line whatever he wanted. What is important is to create a brand that, firstly, will be appreciated by the local market the way Sean John is in the United States. Like we say here in Zambia local is laka.
The third reason why Zambia lacks vibrant brands is that we have poor policies by the government. Government is in charge of not only creating policies that are biased towards Zambians but also ensuring that those policies are adhered to. Government officials are, after all, the culprits in rushing for foreign goods. They take those luxurious trips to buy expensive brands of perfumes, clothes and shoes. If these people at the helm see Zambian goods as inferior how do we expect them to push policies that will enhance the image of our local goods?
The government needs to rise up and support the local brands both in policing and purchasing. It is time we had suit designers who are Zambians, It is time we had shoe designers who are Zambians. And it is time we had a perfume that is Zambian. These can only be achieved if the policies are placed in the right places by the right people.
The final reason why Zambia lacks vibrant brands is that we are not promoting the buy Zambia campaign. Buying Zambian goods not only empowers the seller but everyone involved in the process of bringing the product to the shelf–the supplier of raw materials, the transporter, the lawyer, the factory women, the shop owner and many others. Can you imagine the triple effect if each one of these people has at least six dependants? That is powerful. That is why we need our own Sean Johns in Zambia.
I remember during my employment at Dillard’s that there were Americans who will check at the tag before they bought clothing because they only wanted to buy what was made in America. Although, this was increasingly becoming a controversial issue then, I admired the fact that they wanted to support products that were local. I have been to communities in the United States where almost everyone drives an American car. I was very much out of place in my old Toyota Camry.
As a country, we need to get to a level when our local goods will be more appreciated than foreign ones. Personally, I am contributing in my own small way to the buy Zambia campaign. I look at the label “Proudly Zambian” if I am buying groceries especially. Next time you go grocery shopping look for this label and support our local products. There are many juices, biscuits, cereals, and fruits that are Zambian. Support Zambia and buy Zambian. After all local is laka.
Chinese Collum Coal Mine (CCM) in Sinazongwe district
Chief Sinazongwe has condemned the Chinese Collum Coal Mine (CCM) nationals for beating up Zambian workers which resulted in one them being admitted to Maamba Hospital.
The Chief bemoaned that it was unfortunate that the Chinese supervisors were still using the colonial system of beating up workers when they were on duty.
Last week four Chinese nationals at shaft three beat up two miners Kilian Chilindile aged 30 and Chipo Muleya who is 28 years old with sticks, spears, and anything they had in their hands.
“It’s a sad state of affair that colonial system is still being used when the country has laid down labour laws,” Chief Sinazongwe said.
He said Chinese investment is welcome in the country but they should follow the laid down procedures in addressing the workers’ plight.
The Chief noted that the Chinese government has invested a lot of money in the country but its does not amount to mistreating the Zambian workers and assaulting them with impunity.
Chief Sinazongwe appealed to the Mine Union of Zambia to ensure that they follow up the abuse of workers at the Chinese coal mine.
However, the Victim Chilindile said the four Chinese nationals that beat them up were detained at Sinezeze police post where they accepted the offense and paid K2 million each to the two victims.
Mr Chilindile said he was admitted to Maamba hospital after he was assaulted.
He narrated that trouble started underground where one of the Chinese supervisors detained them for allegedly failing to finish the target of 15 tones during their shift despite completing it.
Mr Chilindile said immediately they cam out of the tunnel they met a group of Chinese nationals and four of them started beating them up.
He said he has since quit his job because he could not afford to risk his life at the mine where human rights are not followed.
It is reported that the Mineworkers Union of Zambia may block attempts by government to bring Vale, a Brazilian mining company to operate in the country planned for this year because of its human rights record.
Mr Rayford Mbulu president of MUZ urged the government to draw lessons from the privatization of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, which he said had left miners still going through turmoil and torment because the process had not been consultative.
Mr Mbulu said that based on the information, government is striking investment partnership deal with Brazil and about USD 600 million is supposed to be pumped into this country’s mining operations.
He said that the union had information that Vale has got the worst human rights records in relation to investment. Much as there had been massive attraction of investment in the mining sector, the question of credibility of the investors that were being brought remained unanswered. The other question that still lingered on concerned the workers and communities’ benefits from the investment.
Mr Mbulu argued that Vale, which had employed people under the United Steel Workers in Canada had subjected its employees to serious violations.
He said that much as it was important to attract investment, it was equally important to exercise caution and ensure that consensus was established through a consultative process before settling for any one investor.
The miners’ union was of the firm belief that the Brazilian investor that would be coming into Zambia was Vale because the company was also conducting prospective processes in Mozambique and Tanzania, and it wanted to grow its presence in the southern African region.
Meanwhile the chamber of mines said mining companies are not obliged to develop infrastructure in the areas they operate but they can do community social responsibility projects on voluntary basis in order to be viewed as good citizens.
Mr Frederick Bantubonse GM of Chamber of mines said while speaking during a public discussion discussion hosted by Caritas Solwezi in conjunction with CTPD on the subject that the mining tax debate: an endless tug of war on recently said there were no such conditions requiring mining firms to build developmental structures in their areas of operation.
Mr Bantubonse said that it was not clearly stated in statutory regulations whether the mining companies had a strictly assigned role in developing areas where they worked part from their core businesses.
Recently President Banda and his Brazilian counterpart, Lula Da Silva announced that two Brazilian mining companies planned to invest about USD 600 million in the mining industry through the opening of a mine in Konkola in northern Zambia.
[SteelGuru ]
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
