Masheke calls for review of UN peacekeepers’ mandate
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 08 June 2011, 04:01 CAT
GENERAL Malimba Masheke says the UN must reform the mandate of peacekeepers to allow them to use necessary force and shoot back when under attack.
In an interview yesterday, Gen Masheke, a former commander of the Zambia Defence Forces, said the current mandate where peacekeepers could not fire back when attacked made it difficult for the troops to protect the civilians.
The Zambia Defence Forces was a combination of the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force (ZAF) and Zambia National Service (ZNS) before they were separated.
“The mandate of UN peacekeepers must be re-examined to enable them, not only to separate warring groups but also to enforce peace. It must be reformed if it has to serve the purpose,” said Gen Masheke.
“When you are in a peculiar situation in a foreign land to bring peace between warring factions and the others want to overwhelm you, your reinforcement has to pass through other countries and it takes a few days, you should be able to use necessary force to make sure that you enforce your mandate to keep peace which is not possible under the circumstance.”
Gen Masheke said currently the mandate of UN peacekeepers was limited and must be expanded for the benefit of civilians, troops and the global body’s staff.
On May 10, 2011, some suspected tribal armed groups shot and wounded four Zambian soldiers, seriously injuring one, as the peacekeepers were travelling in a convoy in Sudan’s disputed oil-rich Abyei region, which both northern and southern Sudan are claiming ownership ahead of South Sudan’s independence next month.
On Sunday, Reuters news agency reported that the UN was investigating Zambian peacekeepers in Abyei who allegedly hid in the barracks for two days instead of protecting civilians during clashes between northern and southern Sudan forces over the disputed region.
But defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa dismissed the allegations, concerning the violent fighting that took place on May 20 and May 21, 2011 between the north and south Sudan forces.
Dr Mwansa said Zambian troops in Sudan’s Abyei region conducted themselves professionally and with utmost sense of duty according to the UN mandate.
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, MALIMBA MASHEKE, SUDAN, UN, ZAMBIA
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Kalombo defends Zambian soldiers in Sudan
By Chibaula Silwamba
Tue 07 June 2011, 08:50 CAT
ZAMBIAN troops in Sudan’s Abyei region conducted themselves professionally and with utmost sense of duty according to the UN mandate, according to defence minister Kalombo Mwansa.
In a press release issued in Lusaka yesterday, in response to a press query by Reuters news agency concerning the conduct of Zambia’s peacekeepers in Sudan, Dr Mwansa stated that the reported criticism against Zambian peacekeepers in Abyei concerning their alleged conduct during the attack of the region was unfair, devoid of fact and ill-conceived.
Dr Mwansa stated that the Zambian soldiers had protected the lives of civilians, their property and that of the UN at the time south and northern Sudan forces were fighting in Abyei.
Dr Mwansa stated that information from troops on the ground in Abyei indicated that the invasion of the area by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) on May 21, 2011 was retaliatory after its convoy was attacked by Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) the previous day, north of Todach.
“From the tactical point of view, in conventional warfare, it is unreasonable and inconceivable, even if this were permitted by the United Nations charter, to expect a Battalion strength force, with limitations in strength and equipment as imposed by UN MoU, to fight pound for pound an advancing fully fledged reinforced division size attacking force as was the case in Abyei on 21 May, 2011,” Dr Mwansa explained.
“The best that is expected of such a battalion strength force is to try to hold its ground while waiting for reinforcement from friendly forces. Again, this is exactly what the Zambian contingent did.
By so doing, the Zambian contingent managed to protect the lives and property of both the United Nations and the civilian population.”
He stated that it was highly erroneous and presumptuous to allege that there was any act of cowardice or failure to protect the civilian population in Abyei in that or any other incident.
He stated that in all peace keeping missions whether under the auspices of the UN or African Union (AU), the Zambia defence personnel had performed exceptionally well.
“As a country, we reiterate our resolve to continue taking part in all future UN/AU peace-keep operations as a matter of duty to the international community,” Dr Mwansa stated.
Dr Mwansa stated that Department of Peace Keeping Operation (DPKO)military advisor Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye on June 2, 2011 visited Abyei and attested to the professional conduct of the Zambian troops in the May incident and refuted the negative allegations.
According to Reuters, the UN is investigating Zambian peacekeepers in Abyei who allegedly hid in the barracks for two days instead of protecting civilians during clashes over the disputed oil-rich territory.
UN diplomatic sources reported that the Zambian soldiers stayed holed up for two days during violent clashes between northern and southern forces that sparked the flight of tens of thousands of civilians.
“They locked themselves up for a couple of days,” a UN diplomat told Reuters. “They were then instructed to come out of their barracks and start patrolling, but they had already lost a crucial 48 hours.”
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, UN
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Mpombo rolls up sleeves for a fight
Mpombo rolls up sleeves for a fight
By Patson Chilemba
Thu 12 May 2011, 04:00 CAT
GEORGE Mpombo says he is rolling up his sleeves for a fight following the decision by defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa's to report him to the police over his recent revelations on the arms scam.
Reacting to Dr Mwansa’s statement that the government had reported him to the police after his disclosure that he resigned as defence minister following pressure from President Rupiah Banda to into into a questionable arms deal, Mpombo questioned Dr Mwansa’s reasoning.
“Reading through the story it’s clear that the Minister of Defence, Dr Kalombo Mwansa, has taken leave from his senses. He told the nation that this deal did not exist, so how does he report me over the deal that never existed in the first place?” Mpombo asked.
“As a minister of defence I reported directly to the Commander-in-Chief. I reported directly to the President and not his sons. The President as Commander-in-Chief always directed and gave instructions on all matters affecting the ministry.”
Mpombo said no minister could leave the country with a ministry delegation without the full blessing and approval of the President.
“Regarding the threats of prosecution, I am ready and rolling up my sleeves for that fight. A piece of advice to honourable Kalombo Mwansa; that he should not be trigger happy to be used as a doormat by President Rupiah Banda and his plundering cubs, utwana twa nkalamu,” Mpombo said.
“He should know that the people of Zambia are not prepared, will not allow political and economic balkanisation by Rupiah Banda and Sons Incorporated.”\
Mpombo said Dr Mwansa was weaving a web of lies and clear deception, and would find it hard to extricate himself from the implications of what he termed his irresponsible behaviour.
He said it was sad that a man of Dr Mwansa’s education background had allowed himself to be used as President Banda’s poodle.
Mpombo said President Banda’s three years of reckless political and economic prodigality was under microscopic scrutiny by the Zambian people.
“I am beginning to wonder, did President Obama go to the same Harvard that Dr Mwansa went to?” Mpombo asked.
“In fact the challenge is General Emmanuel Chapewa who was our defence attache’ and who was part of the delegation has since retired and back in Zambia. Why don’t they ask him? And also my ADC (aide de camp), Warrant Officer Moya, also accompanied us to South Africa. And the Ministry of Defence organised tickets. We didn’t go on bicycles.”
Mpombo said when he returned from South Africa, he went to brief the President on the trip at State House.
“I hope when police summon me they will also extend a polite invitation to His Excellency. In fact these chaps I want to warn them that they are opening up a Pandora box from which snakes, headless chickens will jump out and embarrass the President further,” Mpombo said.
“And on Mr Ben Mwila, the former defence minister, tell him that he left a lot of skeletons in the wardrobe. Him and Gen Shikapwasha have a responsibility and duty to the Zambian people. What happened to our defence equipment we sent to Israel in 1993? They have not yet returned to Zambia.”
Mpombo said the Zambia Democratic Focus president Ben Mwila was a beneficiary of President Banda over the Mumbwa road rehabilitation tender which he said was single-sourced.
On assertions that he had violated the oath of office, Mpombo said the oath of office was not about protecting criminality, neither was it there to promote kleptocracy.
He said the oath of office was there for the orderly functioning of government.
“The whole thing was packaged to promote corruption because Dr Mwansa does not even know what we discussed with the President before I left.
From their desperate reaction, one can easily tell that the Rupiah Banda regime is in a serious cul-de-sac. It is like they say have reached a dead end. You cannot come out. You are fixed,” said Mpombo.
Labels: GEORGE MPOMBO, KALOMBO MWANSA
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Tribalism divides MMD in E/Province
By George Chellah
Sat 25 Dec. 2010, 04:02 CAT
STATE House has been linked to tribal campaigns ahead of the MMD Eastern province conference early next year.
Well-placed sources within the MMD provincial executive committee disclosed that the campaigns for the provincial chairmanship between incumbent Kennedy Zulu and Chilufya Chishala were seriously dividing the party.
“There is a big problem here and this problem can be largely blamed on State House and the President in particular. When we told our leaders in Lusaka last time that Kennedy is not wanted here they thought we were joking but as we draw near the provincial conference the picture of what will happen is getting clearer,” the sources said.
“It has turned out that despite attempts by State House to force Kennedy on the membership in the province, people don’t want him. Chishala is the preferred person for the chairmanship. We told the President last time that if he insists on Kennedy he will split the party and this is what is happening right now.”
The sources said it was regrettable that some senior MMD officials want Chishala not to be elected as provincial chairperson on account of his ethnicity.
“So far we know two ministers who are also senior officials that have been campaigning on tribal line. They are telling people that Chishala should not be allowed to scoop the provincial chairmanship because he is not from Eastern Province. This is embarrassing for the party and the country. Why are people making Chishala’s candidature an issue when it has happened in Eastern Province before when we had Potipher Chungu as MMD chairperson?” asked the source.
“The sad part is even State House seems to have endorsed or embraced that ancient line of thought. We know that State House issued instructions through the provincial administration to order the district commissioners in all districts and the message was ‘sitifuna muntu wamutundu’. How can we allow such politics for Christ’s sake? Where is leadership here?”
The sources said about seven districts with an exception of Chipata were backing Chishala’s candidature.
“Everybody knows that Kennedy is the President’s blue eyed boy. The party members are saying we would rather have our mbuya tribal cousin as chairman than Kennedy,” the source said.
The source disclosed that defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa traveled to Eastern Province on Thursday to access the situation.
“Dr Mwansa has been sent on a fact finding mission. He is here to find out on who is the suitable candidate for the chairmanship in Eastern Province,” the source said.
“We are told Dr Mwansa intends to meet all district and provincial executive committee officials in Chipata. We are told the President sent him. We will meet him and tell him the truth.”
Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, KALOMBO MWANSA, MMD
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Lubinda cautions defence minister
By Florence Bupe
Thu 18 Nov. 2010, 12:01 CAT
GIVEN Lubinda says defence minister Kalombo Mwansa was asking Zambians to be happy with the removal of the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act with his “tongue in cheek.”
In an interview, PF spokesperson Lubinda said Dr Mwansa had no choice but to defend the doctrines of the ruling MMD to which he belongs. However, Lubinda warned that Dr Mwansa should also be ready to account for his statement before the Zambian people.
“Dr Mwansa is obviously saying that with tongue in cheek. I don’t expect him to say anything else and go against the declarations of his regime,” said Lubinda who is also Kabwata parliamentarian.
“Even when the Bill was being debated in Parliament, Dr Mwansa was among those who chose to remain silent. However, when time for reckoning comes, not all who are in government will get away with it.”
Lubinda warned that those in the government today would be forced to defend themselves and held accountable by the Zambian people who were concerned about the management of public resources.
“Those who are orchestrating for the removal of such an important piece of legislation will have to compensate Zambians for their decision. Society will judge them harshly,” said Lubinda.
Parliament recently voted for the removal of the abuse of office clause from the Anti Corruption Commission Act.Labels: ACC, GIVEN LUBINDA, KALOMBO MWANSA
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Abuse of office clause removal worries Kazabu
By Florence Bupe
Wed 17 Nov. 2010, 03:59 CAT
LUXON Kazabu says no one in their right state of mind can be happy about the rem-oval of the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act.
Reacting to defence minister Kalombo Mwansa’s statement that Zambians should be happy about the removal of the clause from the ACC Act, Kazabu, the former Kitwe mayor, said Zambians could not be happy because the shield against the abuse of public resources was being removed.
“How can we be happy when the law that is meant to protect our resources is being removed? It is unthinkable for anybody who means well to be happy when the shield is being removed,” Kazabu said.
Dr Mwansa on Monday urged Zambians to be happy with the removal of the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act, saying the government had simply streamlined the law.
Dr Mwansa explained that the government would use the Penal Code to prosecute those abusing public office and resources.
But Kazabu argued that the Penal Code in its current form was not effective enough to deal with the offence of abuse of office.
“This simply means whoever steals our money simply gets away with it,” he said.
Kazabu further said there was nothing wrong with maintaining the clause in the ACC Act because it added strength to the law against corruption.
He said Dr Mwansa’s argument that the existence of the law in the ACC Act was a duplication was unreasonable.
“If we have to duplicate certain clauses of the law to ensure double protection of our resources, why should we get rid of it? Actually, without the abuse of office clause, we are lame,” he said.
Kazabu said those in the MMD were trying to get rid of the abuse of office clause because they feared the law could catch up with them once out of office.
However, he warned that Zambians were alert and would still fight to ensure that those who have abused public resources face the law.
Kazabu also described as surprising Vice-President George Kunda’s remarks that he does not regret taking former president Frederick Chiluba’s corruption cases to the London High Court because he was just acting on behalf of government.
“When he took the matter to London, he did so with the full conviction and belief that he was doing so in the best interest of the Zambian people. It is therefore incredible that he can make a complete roundabout and detach himself from the matter,” said Kazabu.
Vice-President Kunda told Parliament last week that he took the matter involving Chiluba to the London court as government instructed him, not out of personal interest.
Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, KALOMBO MWANSA, LUXON KAZABU
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Be happy about ‘abuse of office’ - Mwansa
By Patson Chilemba
Mon 15 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT
DEFENCE minister Kalombo Mwansa has said people must be happy about the removal of the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act. In an interview, Dr Mwansa said the government had streamlined the law because it also appeared in the Penal Code. He said it would not help to have a multiplicity of offences.
“The Penal Code covers that offence more adequately than even the one that we have removed. So nothing has changed basically. People just don’t want to read and understand. That is the biggest problem,” Dr Mwansa said.
He said according to the country’s Constitution an accused person should not be compelled to give evidence.
“If I elect to remain silent, it is up to the prosecution to prove me guilty, not me to explain that I am innocent. The law that we have removed was in conflict with the Constitution,” he said.
Dr Mwansa said the onus was on the prosecution to prove that someone was guilty.
“People must be happy about this. In my view, lawyers must be happy about this,” Dr Mwansa said.
“We are always revising laws, and there is no better time or worse time to revise the law. Time has come to do that.”
When asked why the government was removing the law when it had been used to convict several people, Dr Mwansa responded: “It has worked but it has violated our own Constitution. Why should we keep the law that violates our Constitution?”
Dr Mwansa said the government was comfortable with the removal of the offence and those criticising the decision should read and understand.
“They will understand why we did it,” he said.
On the assertions that President Banda was the worst President because his last two years in office had been a disaster, Dr Mwansa said some people were just “confirmed” critics.
He said the government was not worried about the criticism on President Banda but would continue building and delivering to the people.
Dr Mwansa also argued that President Banda had not thrown away late president Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy because he was implementing the MMD manifesto.
Dr Mwansa said President Banda was carrying on the mandate given to him by the party, adding that the MMD was revising its manifesto in readiness for the 2011 general elections.
Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, KALOMBO MWANSA, PENAL CODE
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UN coordinator urges accelerated economic diversification
By Florence Bupe
Tue 05 Oct. 2010, 04:00 CAT
UNITED Nations resident coordinator Kanni Wignaraja has advised government to accelerate efforts towards economic diversification as a means of achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGS).
In her statement on the progress of Zambia’s achievement of the MDGs, Wignaraja said there is a need to accelerate and focus on development challenges facing the country, such as the diversification of the economy.
“Overall, Zambia’s progress towards the MDGs is commendable. However, increased action is urgently needed to scale up the attainment of the MDGs by 2015,” Wignaraja said.
“Greater efforts will be needed to further enhance environmental sustainability, reduce further maternal mortality and address gender inequalities.”
Wignaraja also called on government and other stakeholders to seriously identify ways of averting the negative effects of climate change.
She observed that the country’s key economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism were largely affected by the climate and that reluctance to tackle climate change would have disastrous effects on the growth of the economy.
“In Zambia, any change in the climate can spell disaster. With over 70 per cent of Zambians depending on agriculture, even a slight change in temperature can affect crops like maize with catastrophic consequences for livelihoods,” said Wignaraja.
“Climate change has also begun to affect Zambia’s national tourism industry.”
And foreign affairs minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa observed that cooperating partners were an integral part in the achievement of MDGs through enhanced economic growth.
“The positive economic growth that Zambia continues to enjoy has been made possible with the support of our cooperating partners…,” said Dr Mwansa.
Labels: ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, KALOMBO MWANSA, KANNI WIGNARAJA, MDGs
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Chiengi rejects Kalombo
By George Chellah
Wed 23 June 2010, 04:02 CAT
FLASH BACK : Defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa with President Rupiah Banda
THE MMD in Chiengi Constituency in Luapula Province has rejected defence minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa as a replacement for convicted MMD national secretary Dr Katele Kalumba as area member of parliament.
Well-placed sources within the MMD yesterday disclosed that the party in Chiengi had vowed to stand by Dr Kalumba despite his conviction.
“The truth of the matter is that Dr Mwansa has been rejected in Chiengi Constituency. The people of Chiengi have stated in no uncertain terms that they simply don’t want Dr Mwansa anywhere near that place as member of parliament on the MMD ticket,” the sources said.
“The people are quite resolved on that matter and they have maintained that they will stand by Katele and they want him as their area member of parliament again as opposed to Dr Mwansa who they are claiming does not hail from there. They are actually saying that ‘Uyo Kalombo tatulemufwaya pantu tewakuno, mu Lamba so wanshi muleleta kuno?’ [We don’t want Kalombo because he doesn’t hail from here. He is Lamba, so why bring him here?
“The people are saying that ‘you jailed Katele so that you can bring Kalombo?’ They are also saying that if Dr Mwansa is adopted as the MMD candidate in Chiengi, that will be the end of the party in that area.”
The sources revealed that the people in Chiengi Constituency describe Dr Mwansa as a loner, who could not make a good leader.
“They are complaining that Dr Mwansa is not approachable as a leader. They are saying that even when they have a problem and they come to Lusaka, he evades them by switching off his phone as a way of avoiding talking to them or addressing their concerns. So they were asking that ‘how can we have such a man as our member of parliament? Because Katele is the opposite of him,” the sources said.
“When you go to Chiengi, you will get the real picture of what I am talking about because that’s the reality on the ground in so far as the MMD members are concerned. And the common example they are citing is the comparison between what they claim to be Dr Mwansa’s family house and Katele’s in Chiengi.
“They are saying that Katele is by far better than Dr Mwansa because even the kind of house he has built in Chiengi shows that he wants to live among the people and attend to their daily problems as opposed to the ‘funny structure’ which they keep showing the party leadership that visits the area, which they claim that it belongs to Dr Mwansa. You can ask the party leadership in Luapula, they will tell you the truth if they are honest.”
The sources said Dr Mwansa’s political problems were known in Luapula Province.
“We don’t even know where these stories that Dr Mwansa is being thrusted on Chiengi by President Banda are coming from. We say this because everyone in MMD, including President Banda, is aware that Dr Mwansa is very weak politically in Luapula Province. The President knows that Dr Mwansa can’t win an election,” the sources said.
“What those people that are peddling these lies about the President don’t know is that, these attempts to field Dr Mwansa in Chiengi were started by the late president Mwanawasa. It was president Mwanawasa who wanted to try Dr Mwansa in Chiengi because of Dr Kalumba’s court cases. So this is not President Banda’s idea that Dr Mwansa goes to Chiengi, no! Those who have cared to find out the truth, know.
“And the President has not sent anyone to go and campaign or lobby for anybody’s adoption in Luapula Province, that is not true. What the party, through the secretariat is doing right now is to update the party register and not to campaign for any candidate. This is what the secretariat is currently deeply involved in. Right now as we speak, officials from the party secretariat are in the field collecting data.”
Recently, Dr Kalumba pushed in his leave from running MMD administrative duties until the court disposes of his corruption case in which he has appealed against his conviction by the magistrate’s court.
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, MMD
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Zambia re-assures Zimbabwe of continued support
Saturday, November 21, 2009, 5:48
Defence minister Kalombo Mwansa has re-assured Zimbabwe and its citizens of Zambia’s continued support during this period when the Southern African country is facing various social- economic challenges.
Dr. Mwansa expressed government’s hope is confident that the prevailing dark period in Zimbabwe will continue to improve not only for the benefit of its citizens but in the entire region.
He said this during the official opening and closing of the 25th session of the Zambia/Zimbabwe joint permanent commission (JPC) on defence and security held in Lusaka today.
Dr. Mwansa said the peace and stability among the two countries can only be guaranteed in the defence and security services which should continue working closely together in finding lasting solutions to challenges of mutual interest.
He pointed out that there is an increased tendency by illegal migrants from the horn of Africa and other regions to use the Zambia/Zimbabwe border as a transit route.
He observed that incidents of cross-border crime such as smuggling, poaching, cattle rustling and illicit drug trafficking have continued to be a source of concern.
Dr. Mwansa further said there is need for strengthened joint efforts in dealing with these vices.
And Zimbabwe’s minister State for National Security Sydney Sekeramayi thanked all the SADC member countries that have continued to render support to his country.
Dr. Sekeramayi especially thanked the Zambian government and its people for its continuous support especially during the liberalization struggle in which many Zambians lost their lives.
He said despite the Zambian economic development being hampered during the liberalization struggle, the mineral rich country has not stopped supporting Zimbabwe to gain its independence.
He added that the 25th session should act as a stepping stone in laying a firm foundation to strengthen defence and bilateral relations between the two countries.
ZANIS
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, SYDNEY SEKERAMAYI, ZAMBIA-ZIMBABWE JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION, ZIMBABWE
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Rupiah seeks ‘more powers’ over judiciary
By George Chellah
Fri 23 Oct. 2009, 10:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda wanted to grant himself powers to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court to 11 and High Court to 50 by Statutory Instrument.
Giving his second reading speech on the Supreme Court and High Court (Number of Judges) (Amendment) Bill, N.A.B number 28 of 2009, acting leader of government business in the House Kalombo Mwansa told parliament on Wednesday that the Supreme Court and High Court (Number of Judges) Act, chapter 26 of the laws of Zambia prescribes the number of judges in the Supreme Court and High Court of Zambia.
“Currently, section two of the Act provides that there shall be nine judges of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice. Section three provides that there shall be 30 High Court judges. The pressure placed on the justice system by the increase in the number of cases litigated and the rapidly increasing population has necessitated an upward adjustment to the number of judges both at Supreme Court and High Court levels,” Mwansa said.
“This Bill seeks to amend sections two and three of the Act so as to provide for an increase in the number of Supreme Court and High Court judges. Sir, although the Bill before this August House proposed to vest power in the President to increase the number of Supreme Court and High Court judges by Statutory Instrument, the government has revised that decision following further consultations with the judiciary.
“I will, therefore, move amendments to the Bill on the floor of this House so that we amend sections two and three of the Act to increase the number of judges of the Supreme Court to 11 and that of High Court judges to 50 within the Act itself. This measure will ensure greater and faster access to justice by our people, since the number of judges will be increased in order to meet the dynamic needs of our nation.”
And vice-chairperson of the parliamentary committee on legal affairs, governance, human rights and gender matters, Sylvia Masebo, reported to the House that the intention of the amendment Bill was to increase the current numbers of judges of the Supreme Court and High Court as a measure to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.
“Mr Speaker Sir, your committee in their endeavour to consult widely on this important Bill invited various stakeholders to make both written and oral submissions before them. Your committee received useful responses from the stakeholders,” she said. Masebo said the witnesses all registered support for the Bill albeit with reservations.
“The concerns are recorded in your committee's report for the consideration of the Honourable members of this House as they consider the Bill and I trust that the Honourable members will find the report useful as they debate the Bill,” Masebo said.
“The witnesses who appeared before your committee observed that the amendments, as provided in the Bill, confer very wide discretionary powers on the President and may entail a negative development in respect of the principle of separation of powers and also may negatively affect the operations of the judiciary as an independent body.
“To this effect, Sir, your committee is of the view that the current provisions where the Act gives a definite number of judges of the Supreme Court and High Court should be maintained and that the numbers be adjusted upwards as proposed by the stakeholders. Your committee would like to urge the House to consider the contents of their report as they proceed with the Bill.”
And several opposition members of parliament urged Mwansa to withdraw the Bill.
Kalomo UPND member of parliament Request Muntanga said the Bill was asking the parliamentarians to give powers to the President to recommend by Statutory Instrument.
“I think it will be so gracious of him (Mwansa) to withdraw the Bill. Withdraw and quickly bring the correct thing!” he said.
Nchanga PF member of parliament Wilbur Simuusa said the Bill must be withdrawn.
Kantanshi PF member of parliament Yamfwa Mukanga wondered why parliament should surrender its own powers to the President. He said even the criteria for the increase in the number of judges was not clear.
“The people who appeared before the committee rejected it so why should we agree?” he asked.
Mukanga said people did not want to see anything that would compromise the separation of powers.
Chasefu FDD member of parliament Chifumu Banda advised the government to come up with an appropriate amendment.
And Roan PF member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili said Mwansa wanted to pull a fast one on the parliamentarians.
But Mwansa said the government had no intention to undermine the principle of separation of powers. He said the government wanted to ensure checks and balances in the dispensation of justice.
But the opposition parliamentarians continued heckling and calling on Mwansa to concede and withdraw the Bill. Mwansa later requested that the Bill be deferred to next Wednesday.
And according to the committee's report, the stakeholders who appeared before it raised concerns on the matter.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) submitted that the proposed Bill sought to empower the President to determine the number of judges in the High Court and Supreme Court and to provide for matters connected with or incidental thereto.
LAZ stated that the Constitution of Zambia provided for the judicature in Part VI under the provisions set out hereunder:
“'92(l) There shall be a Supreme Court of Zambia which shall be a final Court of appeal for the Republic and which shall have such jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred on it by this Constitution or any other law.
(2) The Judges of the Supreme Court shall be - (a) the Chief Justice; (b) the Deputy Chief Justice; (c) seven Supreme Court Judges or such greater number as may be prescribed by an Act of Parliament,” the report stated.
“'94 (1) There shall be a High Court for the Republic which shall have, except as to the proceedings in which the Industrial Relations Court has exclusive jurisdiction under the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, unlimited and original jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings under any law and such jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred on it by this Constitution or any other law.(2) The High Court shall be divided into such divisions as may be determined by an Act of Parliament. (3) The Chief Justice shall be an ex officio judge of the High Court. (4) The other judges of the High Court shall be such number of puisne judges as may be prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
“Pursuant to the above provisions the current Supreme Court and High Court (Number of Judges) Act Cap 26, fixes the number of Judges to be appointed in the following manner:
“'2, There shall be nine Judges of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice and the Deputy Chief Justice; (3), There shall be thirty puisne Judges of the High Court.”
The report stated that in line with the above provisions, LAZ stated that the present Bill was an unconstitutional attempt at legislation as it was a radical departure from both the Constitution and the intents and purposes of Cap 26.
“The Association strongly proposed that the provisions relating to the number of Judges in both the Supreme Court and the High Court must be addressed in the principal legislation as opposed to allowing such prescriptions to be made under subsidiary legislation as this was in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution,” it stated.
“The Association further added that in its current form, the proposed amendment would not enhance the principles of independence of the judiciary, transparency and public accountability of judicial Officers.”
And the Human Rights Commission (HRC) recommended that the Bill be revisited with the following possible outcomes:
“(i) that the current format where the Act gives a definite number of judges of the Supreme Court and High Court be maintained and, if necessary, the numbers be adjusted upwards. Leaving the President to determine the numbers by statutory instrument, was too fluid and was likely to send wrong signals; and (ii) alternatively, the Bill should infuse control measures, such as requiring the President to consult with the Judicial Service Commission before adjusting the number of judges of the High Court and provide for a definite number on the Supreme Court, possibly, with a slight increase to the current nine.”
And the Judicial Service Commission submitted that the increase in the number of judges would mean increased budgetary allocation to the judiciary in the form of salaries and other emoluments.
“It would need additional office space and support staff such as secretaries, marshals, reporters and drivers,” the report stated.
“In addition, the Chief Administrator submitted that what the judiciary had proposed to the Ministry of Justice as an amendment was different from what had been presented in the current proposed amendment.”
The report stated that other stakeholders submitted that in the alternative, it would be better if the said amendment specified the minimum number of judges so that more can be appointed as required at a particular time.
“They further submitted that it was not the President who should decide on the number of judges to be appointed as he was not privy to the workload of the judiciary. Instead, they proposed that the judiciary should recommend to the President who should then appoint the judges, whose appointment should then be ratified by Parliament. They stated that the Judicial Service Commission should decide on the number of judges as they were the most competent body and then pass on the recommendation to the President,” stated the report.
Labels: JUDICIARY, KALOMBO MWANSA, RUPIAH BANDA, SYLVIA MASEBO
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Nkombo reveals suppliers of rejected GMO maize
Written by Allan Mulenga and Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Sunday, February 08, 2009 7:58:22 PM
MAZABUKA UPND member of parliament Garry Nkombo has said the Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) maize which was rejected by Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was supplied by GIA International and Mark Daniels Zambia Limited.And agriculture minister Dr Brian Chituwo yesterday rebuked FRA executive director Dr Anthony Mwanaumo for referring all queries on GMO maize to him, saying he was not FRA spokesperson.
Briefing the press on Friday, Nkombo challenged home affairs minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa to quickly institute investigations, so as to establish people who were behind the two companies engaged for the supply of maize.
"We have declared the matter a scandal and we therefore, challenge Dr Kalombo Mwansa to find out who GIA International and Mark Daniels Zambia Limited are and their associates in the country because we shall not accept a situation where people close to the corridors of powers would want to benefit at the expense of poor Zambians," he said.
Nkombo hoped that no money had been wasted through the importation of GMO maize.
"It is extremely important because the food we eat forms part of our life. We have heard that Choma Milling Company has suspended its operations because of shortage of maize and there have been reports of mealie-meal shortages in major towns of the country," he said.
Nkombo said the government was to blame for the deficit in the staple food in the nation; saying they could have sourced non-GMO maize from other countries.
And Dr Chituwo said it was the duty of FRA to release information on the GMO maize importation as they were the implementing arm of the government.
"My advice is get to FRA. We make policy and they are our implementing arm. This whole process is in implementation stage and Dr Mwanaumo will be able to ably update you," Dr Chituwo said.
When reminded that Dr Mwanaumo had vehemently refused to comment on the matter insisting that only the agriculture minister could make a statement on the matter, Dr Chituwo said: "But how can you believe him? He is not my boss, but now he is directing me to be his spokesperson? Let me talk to him then I will get back to you."
By press time yesterday, Dr Mwanaumo could not be reached as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Patriotic Front (PF) spokesperson Given Lubinda observed that the current scandal on the importation of 35,000 metric tonnes of GMO maize clearly showed that the country would see more scandals in President Rupiah Banda's administration than in the Frederick Chiluba regime.
Lubinda challenged Dr Chituwo to clearly state the circumstances under which the maize was imported rather than referring the matter to FRA.
"But when government enters into under hand methods when they are caught, they fail to disclose what their course of action will be," Lubinda said. "At the rate things are going, we are bound to see even bigger scandals than the ones we ever saw in Chiluba days. The Rupiah Banda regime has been in office for less than 100 days but we have heard of so many scandals. You saw today in your newspaper the story you carried about the minister deciding to go against the advice of the Attorney General's chambers...we are bound to see more scandals than this country has ever seen."
Lubinda also challenged Dr Chituwo to admit the GMO maize scandal and not to put the blame on FRA.
"FRA is an agency of the government of the Republic of Zambia and they perform the functions of the Minister of Agriculture and there is no way the minister can say that he is not able to comment because he is not the spokesperson of FRA," Lubinda said. "FRA is just an agent and therefore the minister has all powers to comment. It is his duty. When FRA comments, they are actually commenting on behalf of the minister. So he [Dr Chituwo] should not run away from his responsibilities and putting the blame on the shoulders of FRA. That is not correct. The minister should own up."
Lubinda also warned of massive shortages of mealie-meal in the country owing to the manner in which the maize importation was being handled.
"I do not know but I am very sure that once you follow this up, it won't be shocking that there are some big shots involved in this deal," said Lubinda. "We didn't hear of the government change on the position on GMO products. As a result of attempts by this company to cheat the Zambian people by bringing cheaper GMO maize under the guise that it is non-GMO, there is going to be a huge shortage of maize and therefore mealie-meal in Zambia will go up purely because of the greed of the people who were contracted to bring in non-GMO maize."
Last Friday, FRA board chairman Costain Chilala disclosed that over 75 per cent of the 35,000 metric tonnes of maize imported last week by the agency had been sent back to South Africa because it was GMO type.
Chilala claimed that all the trucks that had GMO maize had been sent back to South Africa where it was sourced. However, Chilala could not state the exact quantity of maize that had been sent back.
Labels: GARY NKOMBO, GMO, KALOMBO MWANSA, MAIZE
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Ministers are not dull, says Kaingu
Written by Maluba Jere and Chibaula Silwamba
Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:20:15 PM
FOUR Cabinet ministers yesterday rebuked Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata over his statement that President Rupiah Banda’s ministers are dull and ignorant.
Home affairs minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa, sports minister Kenneth Chipungu, works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti and community development minister Michael Kaingu were reacting to Sata’s assertions that President Banda’s current problems were self-inflicted because he had appointed dull and ignorant ministers like local government and housing minister Benny Tetamashimba.
Kaingu said Sata should not extend his quarrels with Tetamashimba to all Cabinet ministers.
“If Mr Sata has got a problem with one minister, he should not generalise issues. You can’t attack Cabinet because you have a problem with one person, isn’t it? We don’t know why he has a problem with the minister of local government. Why should that affect the minister of agriculture or health or community development?” Kaingu asked. “It’s normal in life to quarrel with people. But if I quarrel with you does it mean I have quarrelled with everyone at The Post? No! So definitely the answer is categorical no. We are not dull. You know that I am not dull. He can’t say we are dull and ignorant. We know our work and we are working very hard all of us to show leadership.”
And Chipungu said Sata had insulted the appointing authority by saying ministers were dull and ignorant. Chipungu described Sata’s statement as unfortunate, saying there was no minister who was dull and ignorant.
“It is unfortunate that people who are aspiring for the leadership of the nation can stand up and call ministers as being dull,” Chipungu said. “It means you are insulting the person who appointed this person you are calling dull. What is required is working together. As a team, we may differ in opinions but at the end of the day come together as one.”
He said it was unfair for Sata to call ministers in President Banda’s administration dull, saying if he became president of Zambia, he would need their support.
“President Rupiah Banda’s government comprises men and women of integrity most of whom were left by late President Mwanawasa. President Banda has only made a few reshuffles,” Chipungu observed. “Insulting the ministers is not the answer and I am insisting that if we have to develop the country we must work together. Mr Sata should know that if at all he becomes leader of this nation, he will be seeking the same support from the opposition so we must just work together. Running the nation must not be left to the government alone it calls for collective responsibility.”
Chipungu observed that it was unfair to call Tetamashimba dull and ignorant because he was one of the ministers who articulated issues very well both inside and outside Parliament.
“He is a very intelligent minister. The truth is that he is very frank and open and Zambians don’t like such people and so the President made a right choice to appoint Tetamashimba,” Chipungu said. “People must give him a chance to work because what he is doing right now is correct.”
Chipungu also said President Banda’s extension of an olive branch to the opposition was an opportunity for them to discuss national issues and give advice to him.
And Dr Mwansa said Sata’s attacks were unfair.
“I think everybody has seen the Cabinet that President Banda has put up. I don’t think one can describe the Cabinet as full of dull people. I don’t think Mr Sata means it. It’s not fair and far from reality,” Dr Mwansa said. “What we expect from Mr Sata is to work with the government which has been constituted.”
He, however, commended Sata for calling off the planned demonstration over the high mealie meal prices in the country.
“I want to thank him for being magnanimous to call off the demonstration that he intended to call and has chosen dialogue which we all want to see,” said Dr Mwansa.
And Mulongoti said as much as Sata was entitled to his opinion, he and other ministers also had serious opinions about the outspoken PF leader.
“He has got his own views like all of us; we are also entitled to our own views about others and him,” said Mulongoti, an outspoken critic of Sata. “All of us as citizens have commitments to our country and we would rather be seen to be performing than exchanging words in newspapers. All I am saying is that he is entitled to his opinion as we are also entitled to our opinion over him.”
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, KENNETH CHIPUNGU, MICHAEL KAINGU, MIKE MULONGOTI, MINISTERS, SATA
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Leaders of planned demonstrations to be prosecuted
December 12, 2008
Government says it has received information indicating that some political parties will go ahead with planned demonstrations this weekend over mealie-meal prices.
Home Affairs Minister,Kalombo Mwansa, says the law will deal firmly with people agitating violence over mealie-meal prices.
Dr. Mwansa says law enforcement agencies will not allow anyone to disturb the peace that the country has enjoyed over the years.
He said Ring Leaders of the planned demonstrations will face the wrath of the law.
Dr. Mwansa said there is no need for people to demonstrate as prices of mealie-meal are slowly going down.
He said opposition political leaders should not resort to organising demonstrations but advise government on how best the prices of mealie meal can be reduced further. President, Rupiah Banda, says demonstrating over critical issues affecting the country can only plunge the nation into chaos.
The President says dialogue is the best alternative to addressing national challenges.
He says his door is open to opposition leaders and other stakeholders for dialogue on national issues.
President Banda was speaking in Chongwe on Friday when he called on Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamabo of the soli people.
The President also said government will ensure that the effects of the global economic crisis are mitigated.
And Chieftainess Nkomesha said she is confident President Banda will address the problems that the nation is facing.
She said her chiefdom is ready to support government in its efforts towards develop the country.
ZNBC
Labels: DEMONSTRATION, INFLATION, KALOMBO MWANSA, MEALIE-MEAL
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Govt approves uranium policy
By Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday October 07, 2008 [04:00]
THE government has approved the uranium policy that will regulate the production and mining of the mineral in Zambia. Following the recent discovery of uranium by several mining companies in the country, concerns were raised that Zambia lacks the capacity to control uranium mining in terms of storage, safety, security and transportation and if not handled properly, the development could have a negative impact instead of bringing economic benefits.
But in an interview yesterday, mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa said the government devised the guidelines to regulate the mining of uranium in the country and involved the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for scrutiny and guidance.
He said the government was mindful of the concerns raised, hence its decision to involve the United Nations atomic agency to attain international standards.
“Guidelines for uranium mining have now become law and if companies and developers successfully comply with all requirements, licences will be issued to them to commence production and mining as soon as possible,” said Dr Mwansa.
“As government, we are concerned about safety and security especially to end users and we developed guidelines to ensure full compliance of UN regulations and these guidelines were sent to the IAEA for scrutiny and guidance.”
Canadian-based mining giant Equinox Minerals has discovered uranium deposits at its Lumwana copper project in North Western Province and has since embarked on a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) to pave way for the mining of uranium.
And Omega Corp Limited has also intensified its exploration operations in Siavonga with its Kariba uranium project, reaching advanced stages while Albidon Zambia has partnered with Africa Energy Resources to explore the presence of uranium mineralisation at its Njame east project in Chirundu.
Labels: IAEA, KALOMBO MWANSA, URANIUM
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Zambia willing to renegotiate new mining taxes
Tue 30 Sep 2008, 12:37 GMT
LUSAKA, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Zambia is willing to renegotiate mining taxes set earlier this year with foreign firms facing difficulties arising from them, a minister said on Tuesday. In April, mineral royalty rose to 3 percent from 0.6 percent and corporate tax to 30 percent from 25 percent.
The government also introduced a windfall profit tax at a minimum 25 percent and a variable profit tax at 15 percent on taxable income above 8 percent, effectively raising mining tax to 47 percent from 31 percent, despite industry objections.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Kalombo Mwansa told Reuters in an interview the government in the mineral-rich southern African country was in advanced talks with Canada's First Quantum Minerals , which has raised serious objections to the new fiscal regime.
"There have been discussions between First Quantum and the ministers for justice and finance over the tax issue," Mwansa said.
"We are ready to dialogue to keep mining viable so that they (mining companies) keep expanding and remain profitable."
Mwansa said negotiations to cut some taxes would be extended to other mining investors who approach the government over their operational difficulties.
"We are open to dialogue if there are problems at individual mines because the taxes were introduced to benefit the government while they (firms) remain viable," Mwansa said.
He said Zambia's mining industry was thriving despite the global financial turmoil because most big players had committed funds way ahead of the credit crunch in the U.S and Europe.
"Everything is on course in spite of the global financial squeeze with the major players like the Chinese continuing with the building of a (key) copper smelter and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) proceeding with the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP)," Mwansa said.
The KDMP, which will come on stream in 2010, is expected to be Zambia's largest single producer of copper metal, with output projected at 150,000 tonnes per year.
Mwansa said Australia's Equinox Minerals Ltd. , was due to start producing copper at its Lumwana mine before the end of the year while South Africa-based TEAL Exploration and Mining was progressing well with its Konkola North copper project.
He assured foreign investors that Zambia remained a safe destination for copper mining and government policy would continue to safeguards investors.
"There is no going back with our policies to safeguard foreign investments. There is no cause for alarm because the environment is conducive for the protection of investments," he added.
Copper and cobalt mining is Zambia's economic lifeblood and the vast copper mines are a major employer in this southern Africa country of 12 million people.
(Editing by Michael Roddy) (Reporting By Shapi Shacinda, Lusaka newsroom +260-977843609/260-955779523)
Labels: CANADA, FIRST QUANTUM MINING, KALOMBO MWANSA, WINDFALL TAX
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Dr Mwansa urges safety measures in mines
By Zumani Katasefa in Luanshya
Monday August 18, 2008 [04:00]
MINES minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa has said safety on the mines must never be compromised. Speaking when he officiated at the inter-company first aid competition held on Saturday at Luanshya’s Roan rugby fields, Dr Mwansa said in the pursuit for high production levels, mining regulations 1201 to 1208, which explain first aid requirements at mines, should always be taken very seriously by mining firms.
“The mining council for first aid is carrying out regular mine inspections to assess the compliance of mining units with these regulations,” said Dr Mwansa.
He said all companies involved in mining should seriously participate in events aimed at improving life-saving skills.
“I would like to see all mining companies in Zambia, small and large, and contractors otherwise participate in the first aid competition. I am throwing the challenge to all the organisers of the event to invite all other mining companies to do so next year because of the life–saving skills development that is associated with the event,” Dr Mwansa said.
He noted that he was aware of many companies involved in mining operations that were not taking part in such important competitions.
“This call is in line with the strategic focus for the mining sector during the implementation of Fifth National Development Plan, namely to promote both large and small-scale mining by strengthening the institutional framework support and improving the policy and regulatory framework,” he said.
He said the plan recognised large-scale mining as having an important role to play in the nation’s economy, but it also viewed small-scale mining as having greater potential in employment creation and poverty reduction.
“Therefore, events such as this one should not shy away from bringing on board companies that operate as small-scale mines. A way should be found to include small–scale miners in the annual first aid competition,” he said.
Dr Mwansa said the government took safety on the mines very serious.
“This explains why we are working towards having a stand-alone policy on safety, health, environment and quality control for the mining sector,” he said.
Dr Mwansa also commended Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) chief executive officer Derrick Webbstock for hosting the event.
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, MINING, SAFETY
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Phosphate mining will require partnership, says Dr Mwansa
By Joan Chirwa
Tuesday July 22, 2008 [04:00]
THE development of phosphate mining in Zambia will require joint ventures between local and foreign investors to provide adequate raw materials for production of fertiliser at NCZ, mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa has said. And the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has said high prices of farming inputs have become a major impediment to efforts by developing countries to increase agricultural production, with projections that most African countries will require at least US $1.7 billion to revive agricultural systems that have been neglected for several decades.
Dr Mwansa indicated that the Ministry of Mines was ready to speed up the process of issuing mining licences for phosphates in Petauke and Western Province once investors expressed interest to undertake the venture.
“Government is ready to dialogue with investors that may wish to develop where phosphate deposits have been found,” Dr Mwansa said. “The Ministry of Mines will work towards finding an investor who can be given a licence to mine phosphates to feed into NCZ and other countries as well. One company has so far expressed interest and we will look at what they want to offer before we make a decision on whether to issue them with a licence or not.”
A couple of weeks ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives called for speedy investments in phosphate mining as one critical input in fertiliser production, since high deposits have been found in areas such as Petauke.
Industry analysts say fertiliser prices are expected to exceed K220,000 by August this year as the price of the commodity has reached an all-time high of US $1,500 per tonne, on the back of rising oil prices on the international market and increasing demand of the commodity by agricultural producing countries worldwide.
The current surge in fertiliser prices means a 50 kilogramme bag of the commodity could even cost around K200,000 from an average K115,000 at the beginning of the last farming season.
The situation has been worsened by China’s recent imposition of an export tariff of between 100 per cent and 135 per cent on all fertilisers, which effectively took 2.4 million tonnes of urea out of the world market. The supply of phosphate is also an issue, which is mainly sourced from Morocco and China; where production is largely controlled by the government.
With the current market situation, it seems unlikely that additional mining capacity will be granted, which would ultimately weaken the current price. However, the Ministry of Agriculture says the government, through the Ministry of Mines should work towards finding an investor to produce phosphate in Petauke district in Eastern Province.
Dr Mwansa said the government’s desire is to have a partnership between local and foreign investors in the development of phosphate mines, in line with the country’s Citizen’s Economic Empowerment (CEE) Act.
“Local and foreign investors need to join hands in the development of phosphate mines in Eastern and Western Provinces because deposits have been found in these places,” Dr Mwansa said. “As government, we are ready to dialogue over this matter so that we can have phosphates being produced within the country to feed into fertiliser production at Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).”
NCZ – Zambia’s only fertiliser producing company – currently imports all its raw materials, a situation that has pushed up its operational costs owing to the hike in prices of inputs at source. Having raw materials produced locally is expected to ease prices of fertiliser which have reached an all time high on both the international and local markets.
The situation, according to agricultural experts, is threatening the further growth of the industry, which is predominantly composed of small-scale farmers whose incomes are far less than the expected costs of producing crops under the current input prices.
It is expected that small-scale farmers, who account for over half of the country’s annual maize production, might not produce as much as they have been over the past few years due to rising costs of inputs.
The government is currently subsidizing inputs for vulnerable but viable small-scale farmers under the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP), although the number of beneficiaries is far much less than those in need of subsidies. For every pack of FSP inputs, farmers pay 40 per cent of the total cost while the remaining 60 per cent is offset by the government.
For example, a total of eight bags of fertilizer (both top dressing and basal) is required to produce around 100 bags of maize from a hectare. This means an average small-scale farmers with a hectare of agricultural land needs about K1.7 million to produce an average of 100 (50 kilogramme) bags of maize if correct farming practices are employed.
Adding up other costs such as seed and labour, the figure could exceed K2 million for a hectare’s production. However, yields per hectare in the country have been far below the expected average of eight tonnes. From the previous season, yields per hectare have fallen to around 1.31 tonnes per hectare (about 1,300 kilogrammes or 26 of the 50 kilogramme bags of maize).
And if yields per hectare remain at the current level, then farmers will end up incurring high production costs with little crop coming out of their fields. For instance, if yields are maintained at 1.31 tonnes per hectare from inputs worth K1.7 million – considering the current prices of fertiliser – a farmer will only get around K1.2 million, calculated at the current Food Reserve Agency (FRA)’s maize price of K45,000 per 50 kilogramme bag.
And FAO stated that African countries affected by rising prices of farming inputs need at least a total of US $17 billion to start reviving agricultural systems that have been neglected for several decades. This amount, according to FAO, is just for immediate and short term measures during 2008-2009.
“High prices of agricultural inputs have become a major obstacle to developing countries' efforts to increase agricultural production. For the period January 2007 to April 2008, fertiliser prices in particular shot up at a much faster rate than food prices,” FAO stated.
The United Nations (UN) agricultural organization has widened its support to small-scale farmers in Africa under its initiative on soaring food prices, this time covering 54 countries, Zambia inclusive.
It has just approved a series of projects in Zambia and 47 other countries for a total value of US $21 million to help small-scale farmers and vulnerable households mitigate negative effects of rising food and input prices.
The projects will provide farmers with agricultural inputs as of this month for an expected duration of one year under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme and part of the organisation’s initiative on soaring food prices.
Labels: JOINT VENTURES, KALOMBO MWANSA, MINING, PHOSPHATE
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Govt has started engaging mines on taxes, says Mwansa
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Tuesday June 10, 2008 [04:00]
STAKEHOLDERS in the mining industry have advised the government to exercise caution on the windfall taxes because Zambia was not the only country benefiting from higher prices of copper. And mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa has said the government has started engaging mining companies on the newly imposed mining taxes in order to harmonise the situation.
During the just ended 51st Copperbelt Mining, Agricultural and Commercial show whose theme was: ‘mining and industry delivers while agriculture develops and environment matters’ Mopani Copper Mines chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said the mining sector was now playing a pivotal role in areas of foreign exchange earnings, employment creation and positive economic growth recorded in recent years.
He said that if sustained, the positive trend would guarantee the continued economical revival, not only for the Copperbelt, but also for other non mining areas.
“In order for the momentum gained in the mining sector to flourish, government should provide and guarantee a favourable playing field that is presided over by mutual trust,” Mutati said. “But regrettably, government’s recent actions (imposition of windfall taxes) are, in our view and in light of the financial results for April inconsistency with government’s desire to create an ideal investment environment.”
He said Zambia’s major competitor in the region is the DR Congo, which has managed to attract huge investments in the mining sector.
“The mining industry in the DR Congo has attracted foreign direct investment of US $ 9 billion since the end of civil war in 2003 and in comparison Zambia has attracted just over US $ 3 billion since 2000,” said Mutati. “There is need to reposition ourselves if we are to be competitive in the region and we are hopeful that a solution will be found to make Zambia the desired investment destination to keep alive the dreams of the people of Zambia.”
And Copperbelt Show Society chairman, Bill Osborne advised the government to bear in mind that Zambia was not the only country that was benefiting from the higher prices of copper, saying that the DR Congo was also benefiting and their cost of production was lower than Zambia.
Osborne said the government should have introduced mining taxes that could have mitigated costs of production because some mining companies have suspended new projects.
He said the effect of the new tax regime was already being felt in that some new projects have been put on hold in existing mines while some exploration projects have been abandoned.
“This new tax is based on turnover which in turn is based on London Metal Exchange (LME) price of copper and this means that no account is taken of costs of production and the LME price is not the price that most mines sell their copper at because the mines sell forward at a hedge (protected) price and this means that the windfall tax percentage is a lot higher when applied against net profit,” said Osborne.
“The negative effect of the new mining tax regime is being felt by existing mines and those carrying out exploration works and these will have an effect on production levels and employment and may mean that Zambia will have difficult reaching the target of one million tonnes of copper production by 2010.”
And Dr Mwansa said the government was aware that calculation of effective tax rates was still an issue on the part of some mining companies.
“The finance ministry has already started to engage the companies on the matter but the purpose of the new fiscal regime is to enable the companies continue to operate viably while contributing a little more in government revenue for the benefit of Zambians,” said Dr Mwansa.
According to an overview of Copper production during the past 50 years in line, Zambia recorded the highest peak in 1972 when the country produced over 800, 000 metric tonnes and the lowest tonnage production recorded was in the period between 1992 to 1997 when ZCCM consistently produced less than 200,000 metric tonnes.
But due to new investments in the mining sector, copper production was projected to increase to over one million metric tonnes per annum by 2010.
Currently Zambia is producing 650,000 metric tonnes and at the time of privatisation in 2000 the country was producing below 200,000 metric tonnes and during the same period employment in mining has risen from 35,355 to 58,108 in 2007.
Also, contribution of the mining sector to gross domestic product increased from 6.4 per cent in 2000 to 8.4 per cent in 2007.
The increased expenditure on capital investments has also resulted in realising the importance and potential of the Deep mining project in Chililabombwe and the technology to process the `Nkana-Wusakile black mountain' (a huge collection of copper slug that accumulated over years of mining).
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, WINDFALL TAX
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Govt has started engaging mines on taxes, says Mwansa
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Tuesday June 10, 2008 [04:00]
STAKEHOLDERS in the mining industry have advised the government to exercise caution on the windfall taxes because Zambia was not the only country benefiting from higher prices of copper. And mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa has said the government has started engaging mining companies on the newly imposed mining taxes in order to harmonise the situation.
During the just ended 51st Copperbelt Mining, Agricultural and Commercial show whose theme was: ‘mining and industry delivers while agriculture develops and environment matters’ Mopani Copper Mines chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati said the mining sector was now playing a pivotal role in areas of foreign exchange earnings, employment creation and positive economic growth recorded in recent years.
He said that if sustained, the positive trend would guarantee the continued economical revival, not only for the Copperbelt, but also for other non mining areas.
“In order for the momentum gained in the mining sector to flourish, government should provide and guarantee a favourable playing field that is presided over by mutual trust,” Mutati said. “But regrettably, government’s recent actions (imposition of windfall taxes) are, in our view and in light of the financial results for April inconsistency with government’s desire to create an ideal investment environment.”
He said Zambia’s major competitor in the region is the DR Congo, which has managed to attract huge investments in the mining sector.
“The mining industry in the DR Congo has attracted foreign direct investment of US $ 9 billion since the end of civil war in 2003 and in comparison Zambia has attracted just over US $ 3 billion since 2000,” said Mutati. “There is need to reposition ourselves if we are to be competitive in the region and we are hopeful that a solution will be found to make Zambia the desired investment destination to keep alive the dreams of the people of Zambia.”
And Copperbelt Show Society chairman, Bill Osborne advised the government to bear in mind that Zambia was not the only country that was benefiting from the higher prices of copper, saying that the DR Congo was also benefiting and their cost of production was lower than Zambia.
Osborne said the government should have introduced mining taxes that could have mitigated costs of production because some mining companies have suspended new projects.
He said the effect of the new tax regime was already being felt in that some new projects have been put on hold in existing mines while some exploration projects have been abandoned.
“This new tax is based on turnover which in turn is based on London Metal Exchange (LME) price of copper and this means that no account is taken of costs of production and the LME price is not the price that most mines sell their copper at because the mines sell forward at a hedge (protected) price and this means that the windfall tax percentage is a lot higher when applied against net profit,” said Osborne.
“The negative effect of the new mining tax regime is being felt by existing mines and those carrying out exploration works and these will have an effect on production levels and employment and may mean that Zambia will have difficult reaching the target of one million tonnes of copper production by 2010.”
And Dr Mwansa said the government was aware that calculation of effective tax rates was still an issue on the part of some mining companies.
“The finance ministry has already started to engage the companies on the matter but the purpose of the new fiscal regime is to enable the companies continue to operate viably while contributing a little more in government revenue for the benefit of Zambians,” said Dr Mwansa.
According to an overview of Copper production during the past 50 years in line, Zambia recorded the highest peak in 1972 when the country produced over 800, 000 metric tonnes and the lowest tonnage production recorded was in the period between 1992 to 1997 when ZCCM consistently produced less than 200,000 metric tonnes.
But due to new investments in the mining sector, copper production was projected to increase to over one million metric tonnes per annum by 2010.
Currently Zambia is producing 650,000 metric tonnes and at the time of privatisation in 2000 the country was producing below 200,000 metric tonnes and during the same period employment in mining has risen from 35,355 to 58,108 in 2007.
Also, contribution of the mining sector to gross domestic product increased from 6.4 per cent in 2000 to 8.4 per cent in 2007.
The increased expenditure on capital investments has also resulted in realising the importance and potential of the Deep mining project in Chililabombwe and the technology to process the `Nkana-Wusakile black mountain' (a huge collection of copper slug that accumulated over years of mining).
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, WINDFALL TAX
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