Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Govt accused of secret dealings with mine owners

Govt accused of secret dealings with mine owners
Thursday, February 10, 2011, 8:48

The Citizen Forum says it suspects that government has secret dealings with the mine owners as evidenced by government’s refusal to reintroduce the windfall tax despite the continued rise in the price of copper on the international. The price of copper on the international market has hit the unprecedented $10,000 level per tonne.

Citizens Forum Executive Secretary Simon Kabanda says it does not make sense for government to continue insisting that it will not reintroduce the windfall tax when the price copper price on the international market has continued to rise.

Mr. Kabanda noted that the Zambians need to benefit from the proceeds of copper adding that whatever government was trying to hide about its deals with the mine owners will be uncovered one day.

And Mr. Kabanda has urged government to take legal action against Mopani Copper Mines for flouting the law on remittance of tax to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Mr. Kabanda says reports that Mopani Copper Mines’ tax remittances have been inconsistent with the production output are disappointing.

He says it is not in order for the mining company to try to evade tax when it is already enjoying tax rebates on its profits.

Labels: CITIZENS FORUM, CORRUPTION, NEOLIBERALISM, SIMON KABANDA, WINDFALL TAX

posted by MrK @ 8:47 PM