Maravi

Luanshya residents demonstrate

Luanshya residents demonstrate
Written by Zumani Katasefa in Luanshya
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:48:59 AM

SCORES of Luanshya residents yesterday morning took to the streets over the government's delay to reopen the closed Baluba Mine which was placed under care and maintenance by Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM). Clergymen from various churches and Roan member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili led the former miners, women and children in the protest over the plight of the people of Luanshya.

The protestors covered a distance of about 15 kilometres from Mpatamato to Luanshya Civic Centre, causing traffic jam.

Business in the mining town came to a virtual standstill as the residents marched carrying placards that read: "Jobs first legal matters last" and "RB please save the mining industries from greedy investors" among others.

"We want jobs! We want jobs!" shouted the protesters, most of whom were clad in overalls and blew whistles.

At the civic centre grounds, the protesters demanded to be addressed by either mines minister Maxwell Mwale or Copperbelt provincial minister Mwansa Mbulakulima.

However, United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Reverend Derrick Kalanga said the Church would not remain silent over the problems prevailing in Luanshya following the closure of the mines.

Rev Kalanga said the people of Luanshya were disappointed with the way the government had behaved towards the problems that they faced.

"As the people of Luanshya we are disappointed with our government, the way it has treated the crisis of the closure of the mines in Luanshya. I would like to say only people with myopic minds cannot see the crisis the people of Luanshya are in," he said. "We are aware that the President had taken a lot of trips outside the country without taking any concrete measures as to mitigate the job crisis in Luanshya."

He said prior to the October 30 presidential election last year, President Banda promised people jobs, but the unemployment rate in the country had since risen.

He said it was unhealthy for any reasonable government to fail to look at the plight of its people.

"Our humble request to the government is to find an investor to invest in Luanshya Copper Mines. It's surprising to hear from [Dr] Kalombo Mwansa the Minister of Home Affairs that Luanshya Copper Mines is still holding on to the mines because of the unsettled bills. The first question is why did the government not tell LCM to settle their bills before they could close the mine?" Rev Kalanga asked. "Twakana ukutwangasha [We have refused to be fooled]."

Rev Kalanga said the sovereignty of the government should not only regulate the interest of the investor but be based on the domestic relationship.

And Fr Patrick Mwela of the Roman Catholic Church said it was unfortunate that government had decided to turn a blind eye to the problems that the people of Luanshya were facing.

"Government should listen to the voice of the people, because it is God speaking through them," he said. "The voice of the people is the voice of God."

He said the people of Luanshya were not asking for too much because all they needed were jobs.

"They are not asking for too much, they are not asking for posh cars. All they want is just to eat," he said.

Fr Mwela said children were out of school because of the financial crisis which had affected them and it seemed as though the government had condemned the people of Luanshya to death.

Luanshya District pastors fellowship spokesperson Jevan Kamanga said the government should provide US$48 million so that the mine could start running for a year as they look for another investor.

He said the situation could have being avoided had the government been serious enough.

Kamanga said the government should allow a local investor to partner with foreign investors if the mine was to run effectively.

Kamanga said what was happening in Luanshya was non-political and that it was cardinal for both the government to work hand in hand with opposition leaders to find a solution to the problems the people of Luanshya were experiencing.

Another clergyman, Fr Charles Chirwa said it was pointless to tell people to diversify in agriculture when they had no fertiliser.

"These people are used to mining, so it does not make sense to ask them to diversify. You need to train them as farmers," Fr Chirwa said.

Kambwili said the government should state clear ly when the mine would be opened.

He said the people of Luanshya would again next Monday stage another protest if the government would not announce when the mine would be opened.

Some residents gave government up to February 28 in which to reopen the mine, failure to which there would be no peace in the area.

"We are not going to dance to the tune of government. We need to fight and fight," said one resident on condition of anonymity.

Another resident, Celestine Chomba, said the government should stop telling people to diversify at the time the mines were down.

"We are not going to diversify. Diversify ifinshi? Icho chisungu chabo ba politician [Diversify in what? That is just English for the politicians]," Chomba said.

Another resident, Thomas Zulu said he was disappointed that Mwale had failed to address the residents.

"It is very embarrassing that the minister has failed to come and address us, even the Copperbelt minister is not here," Zulu said.

Zulu said Luanshya member of parliament Simon Kachimba, who is also labour deputy minister, was informed about the demonstration but decided to stay away.

"If people who voted for him are suffering and he decided to stay from such a thing, then what type of a leader is he?" Zulu asked.

The residents also threatened not to allow Luanshya district commissioner George Kapu to leave without an assurance over the mine.

Kapu said the government was committed to solving the problems that Luanshya residents were facing but could not say when the mine would be opened because he was just a messenger.

Shareholders recently pulled out of LCM and placed it under care and maintenance due to low copper prices, which they said had increased operational costs. LCM owns Baluba Mine and their pullout led to over 1,700 job losses.

Labels: GREAT DEPRESSION II, JOBLOSSES, LCM, LUANSHYA

posted by MrK @ 8:49 AM