Police detain Kabwe PF cadres over rejected DC
By Maluba Jere
Sat 17 Mar. 2012, 11:58 CAT
ABOUT 35 Patriotic Front members were on Thursday briefly detained by police in Kabwe after they protested against the appointment of Patrick Chishala as district commissioner because he is MMD.
The cadres went to the district commissioner's office where they chanted slogans against Chishala and police apprehended them and took them to the police station for questioning.
Police sources said the cadres were earlier warned to desist from making the district commissioner's work difficult, saying they would be arrested for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
The source said the cadres were protesting against the appointment of Chishala, whom they accused of reaping where he did not sow, alleging that he was MMD.
The cadres were angered after learning that Chishala had assumed office on Tuesday before a petition relating to his appointment which they took to the permanent secretary was dealt with.
The cadres were only released after two hours of being questioned and the intervention of senior party officials.
When contacted for comment, Central Province police commissioner Dr Solomon Jere confirmed that the cadres were briefly detained at the police station as a way of maintaining order.
Dr Jere said the cadres were protesting against the appointment of Chishala and that they had being talked to about not taking the law into their own hands.
"The thing is these people had made it clear that they would protest and we had agreed that they should use dialogue, but we were surprised that they started assembling unlawfully," he said.
"But after briefly detaining them, we spoke to them and they were all released."
Labels: CADRES, KABWE, PF
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Kabwe DC urges more effort in environmental pollution prevention
By Sututu Katundu in Kabwe
Fri 11 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT
KABWE District commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe has observed that laws and regulations alone are not sufficient in preventing and controlling environmental pollution.
Speaking during the official opening of an environmental awareness workshop for media institutions in Kabwe, Kapungwe said everyone should be mindful of their activities and assess how they impact and contribute to environmental degradation.
Kapungwe said Zambia was slowly waking up to the fact that issues of environment need to receive greater priority in decision making in order for the country to achieve sustainable development.
“You will agree with me that environmental issues such as the conference of parties (COP) 15 on climate change which is currently taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark has generated world interest in climate change. However, we need to domesticate these international concerns and provide information to the citizens of Zambia not only on climate change but also, other environmental issues,” said Kapungwe.
And speaking earlier, Environmental Council of Zambia manager inspectorate Joseph Sakala said in order to achieve its goal to provide a clean and healthy environment, ECZ recognises that improved environmental management in the country, demands increased collaboration by all stakeholders.
Sakala said it was necessary to ensure that command and control approaches to environmental compliance were augmented by co-operative efforts between the ECZ and its stakeholders.
Labels: ENVIRONMENT, JOSEPH SAKALA, KABWE, POLLUTION
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Fuel shortage hits Kabwe
Written by Justin Katilungu in Kabwe
Thursday, October 15, 2009 6:21:06 PM
THE fuel shortage in Kabwe has compelled motorists to resort to fetching the commodity from Kapiri Mposhi district where it is in abundance.
By Tuesday, only Petrotech filling station received a tanker of fuel but by noon the commodity had run out.
Caltex filling station also received fuel and motorists jostled in a winding queue that even blocked half of the Great North Road just to try and get a litre of the commodity. Many motorists even parked their vehicles and opted to walking or using bicycles.
Teddy Chola a taxi driver said, "Yesterday [Tuesday] I drove all the way to Kapiri-Mposhi to buy petrol and I was surprised to note that the commodity is available there and when we alerted our colleagues, they too led a convoy there."
Jackson Chola, another motorist, said he opted to park his car at home and walk to town owing to the shortage of petrol.
Chola said the situation was desperate and the government should address the problem forthwith.
Chola was saddened that the government failed to plan ahead regarding fuel shortages in the country.
Kapiri Mposhi is over 60 Kilometres from Kabwe.
Labels: FUEL, KABWE, SHORTAGES
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Kabwe council budgets K30bn for 2009
Written by Gillian Namungala
Monday, December 29, 2008 9:13:31 AM
KABWE Municipal Council has submitted a K30 billion budget for next year. This follows its approval by a full council meeting held on December 24.
Confirming the budget, Kabwe town clerk Vivian Chikoti said the budget was formulated with the help of various stakeholders. Chikoti said the budget would be met through the collection of local taxes and other levies.
She further said the council would also source grants from the ministry.
Chikoti said the council had resolved to build a modern bus station in the mine area. She also said the council plans to turn Kasanda market into a modern one.
Chikoti said the two projects would cost the council more money, hence they would rely on assistance through grants from the ministry to complete them.
And Chikoti has said the council would not conduct the mayoral election until local government minister Benny Tetamashimba gives them a go ahead.
Chikoti said the council would not go against the directive by the government but would wait for further instructions before conducting the election.
Labels: BUDGET, COUNCILS, KABWE, VIVIAN CHIKOTI
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No compensation for lead poisoning victims in Kabwe- Mwale
November 13, 2008
Mines Deputy Minister Maxwell Mwale told parlaiment that
the Government did not have any information of any resident whose health had been affected as a result of lead and could therefore not compensate any individual.He however said that the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) had put in place stringent measures to ensure that pollution at Kabwe Lead Plant was minimised.
Mr Mwale said ZCCM-IH had sunk boreholes, improved domestic water supply in communities affected by lead, provided cover wastes so as to prevent evaporation and embarked on the distribution of food supplements to reduce lead levels in children.
Mr Mwale was responding to a question raised by Kantanshi MP Yamfwa Mukanga (PF) who wanted to know the measures taken to minimise pollution and whether there were plans to compensate residents whose health had been affected by pollution.
Kabwe once boasted one of the largest and richest lead mines in Africa, but it had few pollution controls. Since the closure of the mine in 1994,the town has endured not only economic hardship but also the risk of lead poisoning.
Kabwe’s vegetation, soil and waterways are heavily contaminated with the highly poisonous metal. High levels of lead poisoning effect the entire population, but are particularly high in the children of the area. Children in Kabwe have been found to have as much as 10 times the EPA’s allowable limit of lead in their blood. Lead poisoning symptoms occur in any one whose lead level is above 20, at 120 death can occur.
Children in the area who play in the mud and run off, and young adults who scavenge in the mines for left over bits of metal to sell, have been found with levels over 200.
Labels: KABWE, LEAD, MINING, POLLUTION
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Rupiah’s victory shocks Kabwe residents
Written by Katwishi Bwalya and Inonge Noyoo in Kabwe
Monday, November 03, 2008 7:07:11 AM
SOME Kabwe residents have received the news of MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda's victory with shock. Most residents challenged President Banda to now prove to Zambians especially the majority who did not vote for him that he was the right person for the job.
In an interview, some residents said the news was shocking but they hoped that President Banda would continue from where late president Mwanawasa left to uplift the living standards of the ordinary people.
"Yes, I am shocked to hear those results because I was not expecting to see the results but it seems that's what the people of Zambia had wanted. But I can only hope that the victory of [President] Banda reflects the will of the people," Saukani Nkhata said.
Abraham Kunda said although this year's election was well-organised and peaceful, he could not rule out the possibility of rigging.
"The elections have been fair and peaceful but in Africa they say it is very difficult to unseat the government in power, so we can't rule out rigging but it is very difficult to have facts on that," Kunda said.
Mukuka Chalwe said it was very difficult to accept the results but urged Zambians to support the MMD government.
"Everywhere we went people wanted change but that change has not come forth, so we have no option but to accept the current MMD government. Though I know it is very difficult but in all the results have been shocking," Chalwe said.
Francis Nyirongo, who claimed that he supported the Patriotic Front, vowed to continue supporting the party saying there was still hope in the party.
"I will continue supporting PF though we have lost and it is unfortunate but we will wait and see what happens," Nyirongo said.
Simon Moonga said people in rural areas, despite experiencing high poverty levels, had once again failed the people of Zambia by not voting out the MMD government.
"Our relatives in rural areas have once again disappointed the people of Zambia by going their own way in voting for this government because if you look at the pattern of voting from the rural areas I can call that careless voting. But the good thing is it has come from Zambians so we will see if this government can deliver to our expectation," Moonga said.
And Patriotic Front member of the central committee John Chisanga doubted the MMD victory mostly from the rural areas.
"The people who are always complaining about bad roads, lack of farming inputs and all sorts of things are the same people in rural areas but when they voted it was something else so we wonder what makes them popular in rural areas," Chisanga said.
He said although there was an improvement in the manner the elections were conducted there was need to ensure that political parties had people at ECZ to monitor the flow of results from all parts of the country.
"The work of monitors ended at polling stations but there was need for all stakeholders to witness the arrival of results unlike what we saw where, once the results have been sent there is no one to monitor that and verify the results until we hear them being announced," said Chisanga.
Labels: KABWE, RUPIAH BANDA
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Kabwe resident urges oppossition to work harder in rural areas
Written by Inonge Noyoo and Katwishi Bwalya in Kabwe
Sunday, November 02, 2008 12:01:00 AM
OPPOSITION political parties need to work harder in rural areas, Kabwe resident Joseph Mulimi has advised. And the visibly upset Mulimi charged that it was clear from the voting pattern that rural Zambians were still willing to sell their votes in exchange for fertiliser and foodstuffs. In an interview, Mulimi a businessman and PF member said he was disappointed by the rural voters.
"It is clear that our lifestyles are very different to those of our rural friends. One wants to believe that they are not feeling the high poverty levels, the high taxes or that maybe they are just ignorant or scared of change," he said.
Mulimi said the rural populace had proved that they were easily appeased.
"We are disappointed with our rural brothers. For once it's important that they move in line with everyone. It is clear that we are all suffering and maybe they are even worse but we do not know what motivates their votes. They should get over this obsession with the MMD for the sake of our country," said Mulimi. "Our neighbouring countries including Angola which has been at war are doing fine but we don't seem to be making meaningful progress and this is because we have not tried other people who can also deliver."
Mulimi, who is a businessman and was in the company of more than eight call boys, warned the MMD not to be too excited with the rural areas because they had been neglected.
"As you can see, obviously you have data...you know history and it has shown that the MMD has been rejected by the educated majority for more than once. So there is nothing to be happy about because we are sad," said Mulimi.
Labels: JOSEPH MULIMI, KABWE, PF, RURAL AREAS
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SA firm to re-open Kabwe mine
By Fridah Zinyama
Thursday January 10, 2008 [03:00]
ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) executive director Joseph Chikolwa has said South Africa's Alberg Mining and Exploration is to re-open Kabwe zinc and lead mine. Chikolwa said unlisted Alberg Mining and Exploration would have the task of re-starting Kabwe zinc and lead mine, one of the oldest mines in Zambia, which was abruptly shut in 1994 due to poor management and a lack of capital.
"We have written to Alberg advising them of the offer to re-open Kabwe mine and we are waiting for their response, which should include the timing for negotiations," Chikolwa said.
He however said the financial details of the deal had not yet been finalised.
"Alberg Mining was chosen ahead of Congo Border Resources, Ilifa Commodities Ltd, Leopard Exploration & Mining and Pochy Mining Ltd," Chikolwa said.
Alberg Mining had expressed interest in 2007, to re-open the three shafts to mine lead and zinc in Kabwe.
Chikolwa said the value of the mine and its assets would be subject to negotiations.
"Of course it will have to take into account the value of assets to be sold and provision for environmental liabilities in case of default," Chikolwa said.
He said ZCCM-IH would retain a minimum stake of 20 per cent in the mine once Alberg Mining resumed lead and zinc production.
Chikolwa said the ZCCM-IH would ensure Alberg Mining followed its guidelines on mining lead and zinc, after global environmental campaigners Blacksmith Institute listed Kabwe as one of the world's 10 most polluted towns, blaming the local mine named after the town.
Lead poisoning has left thousands of people in Kabwe, especially children, with high lead content in their blood.
Chikolwa said the ZCCM-IH had developed guidelines for environmental rehabilitation for the new developer as a precaution to avoid future lead contamination.
"We will diligently follow up their actions through monitoring on the ground and our presence or representation at board of director level. We also expect the developer to prepare an environmental management plan to deal with future environmental issues that will be acceptable to us," Chikolwa said.
Alberg Mining said last year that it also planned to produce 12,000 tonnes of blister copper per year after constructing a processing plant at Kabwe through its Zambian subsidiary, Silver Lining Ventures Ltd.
Labels: KABWE, LEAD, MINING, ZCCM-IH, ZINC
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Kabwe lead pollution has reduced - ZCCM-IH
By Gillian Namungala
Sunday October 14, 2007 [04:00]
LEVELS of lead pollution in most parts of Kabwe town have reduced, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) environmental coordination unit project manager Joseph Kabwe has said. But findings by the Advocacy for Environmental Restoration Zambia (AREZ) have revealed that Kabwe is still the 10th most lead polluted town in the world. During a workshop organised by AREZ, Kabwe described the lead mitigation project as a success.
“The lead in most areas that were affected has reduced and we hope that there will be a further reduction with time,” Kabwe said.
He catalogued the training of doctors in leadchology, rehabilitation of boreholes in lead affected compounds, greening of grass and the creation of play parks for children as some of the successes of the project.
Kabwe further said six groups of women had been funded to help them engage in income generating activities as a way of preventing scavenging at dumping sites that were highly polluted with lead.
He said ZCCM-IH would soon tar the Lukanga Road leading to Lukanga Swamps to reduce lead in the dust.
However, Kabwe said as long as the source of the lead pollution - soil - was not contained, the lead levels would remain high.
He said before ZCCM-IH hands over the project, it would ensure that the council had the capacity to sustain it.
“We know that the council has no capacity to carry out those projects so we want to assist them before handing over these projects,” he said.
But Kabwe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) chairperson Wilfred Wonani argued that despite recording some successes in some projects others had made less impact.
Some projects such as the allocation of land in lead polluted areas and the greening of grass when people had no water were criticised by most Kabwe residents.
Labels: AREZ, KABWE, KCCI, POLLUTION, ZCCM-IH
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