Irate East villagers burn ZAWA camps

By ALEX NJOVU

 
POLICE in Eastern Province have arrested five community scouts who allegedly killed a poacher on Saturday and concealed his body in a valley in Chief Chitungulu’s area.
The action sparked a riot by villagers and Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers and their families are reported to have run for their lives.
They hid in the bush as villagers rampaged through their camps.
The irate villagers burnt two camps belonging to ZAWA.
Both Eastern Province permanent secretary Eularia Syamujaye and police spokesperson Ndandula Siamana confirmed the incident in separateinterviews yesterday.
Ms Syamujaye said in a telephone interview from Chipata that the villagers destroyed ZAWA property, burning down several houses.
“I can confirm that a poacher was killed by community scouts, who are trained to protect nature. They decided to conceal his death by hiding the body in the valley. When the villagers learnt about what had happened, they ran riot.
“They burnt more than 10 houses belonging to ZAWA, killed domestic animals and destroyed maize fields.
They destroyed anything in their way at the two camps, including a vehicle, which they burnt,” Ms Syamujaye said.
She said the village scouts, who have been arrested, have been charged with murder.
Ms Syamujaye said it is unfortunate that a life was lost, but advised members of the public in Lumezi Constituency in Lundazi against taking the law into their own hands.
She said there was no need for the villagers to destroy ZAWA camps and kill domestic animals.
“We are disappointed with what happened on Saturday. We condemn the shooting and killing of a poacher in Chief Chitungulu’s area by community scouts.
“And I want to make it clear that ZAWA officers were not involved in the shooting of the poacher. It was the village scouts who killed him. We also want to appeal to villagers to desist from destroying public property,” she said.
Ms Syamujaye said calm has since returned to the area.
She said Government has provided food and tents to the people whose maize fields and houses were destroyed.
“We have sent 40 by 50 kilogrammes of maize and tents to people whose maize fields and houses were destroyed,” Ms Zulu said.
And Ms Siamana confirmed the incident but could not give further details.

Irate East villagers burn ZAWA camps

Copperbelt MMD canes Chongwe

By ALEX NJOVU  
THE MMD on the Copperbelt has castigated prominent Lusaka lawyer Rodger Chongwe for his continued attacks on President Banda and his administration.
In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Copperbelt party information and publicity secretary Yotam Mtayachalo warned Dr Chongwe to refrain from making derogatory remarks against the MMD government.
Mr Mtayachalo said Dr Chongwe and other senior lawyers should promote dialogue instead of discrediting Government through the media.
He described as irresponsible and outrageous Dr Chongwe’s remarks that the MMD will continue rigging elections.
“Dr Chongwe as a renowned lawyer should not make statements which he cannot substantiate because they are not backed by any facts. Dr Chongwe should realise that his allegations are very serious and have the potential to undermine the electoral process in Zambia to the point where political parties can dispute election results when they have genuinely lost the polls,” he said.
He said it is unfortunate that Dr Chongwe is trying to convince Zambians to reject the outcome of this year’s tripartite elections.
Mr Mtayachalo allayed fears that the 2011 tripartite elections will be rigged because President Banda has assured the nation and the international community that the elections will be free and fair.
He said President Banda must be commended for his political will to ensure free and fair elections by allowing as many Zambians as possible to register as voters.
“The utterances are coming from the background that MMD is headed for victory in this year’s elections because Government, under President Banda, has scored tremendous success in many sectors of the economy,” he said.
Mr Mtayachalo said opposition political parties are panicking because they have slim chances of winning this year’s elections.
He said the 2008 presidential elections were the most credible and transparent because polling agents from various political parties verified and signed the results.
“It is sad that small and one-man political parties without any agenda are not adding any value to the political dispensation of the country because they are bent on destabilising Zambia.
Dr Chongwe should realise that it’s only him and his family and a few Zambians who can fly out to safety when there is a breach of the peace,” Mr Mtayachalo said.

Chambishi Smelter fires 12 workers

By ALEX NJOVU  
TWELVE miners have been dismissed at Chambishi Copper Smelter in Kalulushi.
National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) general secretary Goodwell Kaluba said in an interview yesterday in Kitwe some miners were fired for allegedly stealing company property, while others had their contracts terminated.
“I can confirm that 12 workers have been fired at Chambishi Copper Smelter. Some workers were dismissed for stealing company property, others for staying away from work, the others had their contracts terminated.
“As a union, we are suspecting that the six whose contracts were terminated without any reason is due to the protest that took place at the company last month,” he said.
Mr Kaluba said the union will engage management on the development, and appealed to the affected workers to remain calm.
“We also want to appeal to our members to desist from stealing company property. It is unfortunate that two of them have lost their jobs for stealing company property. As a union, we are going to talk to management over what has happened,” he said.
Mr Kaluba urged miners to follow procedure when airing their grievances and desist from engaging in activities that are detrimental to national development.

Chambishi Smelter fires 12 workers

By ALEX NJOVU

Indian mining firm invests $100 million in emeralds

By ALEX NJOVU

 
EMERALD and Semi Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) general secretary Victor Kalesha says an Indian mining firm, Earthstone Resources Limited, has invested over US$100 million in the mining of emerald stones and manganese in Zambia.
Mr Kalesha said the gemstone industry is growing at a fast rate and that it has continued attracting both local and foreign investors who are creating job opportunities for Zambians.
He said in an interview in Kitwe that Earthstone Resources Limited has also continued conducting exploration of minerals in Lufwanyama and that the mining firm has so far employed more than 80 local people.
“I have been working hand in hand with Earthstone Resources mining company for the past four months now. They have invested US$100 million in the mining of manganese in Mansa, emerald and iron. They have employed 45 people in Mansa and about 35 workers in Lufwanyama, exploration works have also continued.
“The gemstone industry is attracting massive investment and job opportunities for our people are being created, especially for the youths. The good investment environment and policies that are being implemented by government are contributing to our sector to grow very well,” Mr Kalesha said.
He said his association is happy that the sector has continued recording success and called on Government and other stakeholders to rally behind sectors which are contributing positively to the development process of the country.
Mr Kalesha revealed that Kagem Mining Company Limited recently auctioned its emeralds in London at a cost of about US$21 million.
He said the sector has the potential to contribute positively to the development of the country once it is fully developed.
Mr Kalesha said the gemstone industry is one of the sectors in Zambia reducing unemployment levels in various communities, especially on the Copperbelt.
He called on stakeholders including the business community to work hand in hand with his association in finding solutions to problems facing the small-scale miners.
Mr Kalesha challenged relevant authorities to encourage small-scale mine owners by touring their mines to familiarise themselves with their problems.
“We have noticed that sometimes when people come to visit or tour mines in Lufwanyama, they just go to those that are already established, the big ones, without visiting small-scale mines which are struggling. The small-scale mine owners need to be motivated because they are also creating job opportunities for Zambians,” he said.
Mr Kalesha said it is unfortunate that most small-scale miners do not have proper equipment for their daily operations.

Kitwe-Chingola road to be upgraded

21st January 2011

By ALEX NJOVU

 
GOVERNMENT has assured Copperbelt residents that it will this year upgrade the Kitwe-Chingola road into a dual carriageway.
Minister of Works and Supply Mike Mulongoti said yesterday that Government will this year also rehabilitate the Chibuluma and Kalulushi-Lufwanyama roads.
“We are committed to ensuring that the road network improves in the country. In fact, all the infrastructure development projects are on course. We are going to expand the Kitwe-Chingola road into a dual carriageway; the Chibuluma road and the Kalulushi-Lufwanyama road will also be worked on this year,” Mr Mulongoti said in an interview.
Mr Mulongoti said Government is in a hurry to develop all parts of the country.
He said Government has appointed a transaction advisor to supervise road projects under the public private partnership (PPP) initiative.
Mr Mulongoti said the council of ministers made the appointment in November last year.
“The appointment of the transaction advisor that will work on the rehabilitation of road projects under the private public partnership (PPP) programme throughout the country has been done,” Mr Mulongoti said.
He said Government is committed to improving the road infrastructure in all parts of the country.
Mr Mulongoti called on Zambians to continue supporting Government in its quest to develop the country.
He called on individuals unnecessarily criticising Government to appreciate its efforts to develop the country.
Mr Mulongoti said it is unfortunate that some people have refused to appreciate the development projects Government is undertaking.
He said some opposition leaders have failed to initiate meaningful development in their constituencies and wards since they were elected as members of Parliament and councillors.
He said Government will not be detracted by critics who want to derail its development agenda.
“We are working very hard to develop this country, but it is sad that some people in the opposition have decided to politicise everything that we are doing. They must be told that as Government, we will not be detracted in taking development to our people throughout the country,” Mr Mulongoti said.