Luanshya is eager to end Rupiah’s regime - Kambwili
Luanshya is eager to end Rupiah’s regime - Kambwili
By Misheck Wangwe in Luanshya
Wed 11 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
LUANSHYA residents are eager for elections because they have resolved to end Rupiah Banda’s corrupt regime, says Chishimba Kambwili.
In an interview, Kambwili who is Roan member of parliament, said it was irrational for the MMD to claim popularity on the Copperbelt when the mood of change of government in many towns was at its peak.
He said many Zambians were angry with the MMD and had resolved to give the PF leader, Michael Sata, massive support ahead of the elections.
Kambwili said the malicious television programmes and hateful utterances on public media by pro-MMD supporters had in fact made Sata popular and exposed President Banda’s corrupt activities and abuse of state institutions.
“The continued attacks on the PF and the abuse of the public media and other state institutions have exposed Rupiah Banda’s tyrannical leadership. Zambians are able to read between the lines …,” Kambwili said.
Kambwili said MMD was using vulnerable and hungry “chaps” to denounce the PF and other critical individuals including the Church.
“The abuse of state media and tyrannical politics are harmful to democracy and people will vote against them on that basis,” he said.
He said Zambians would vote the MMD out of government because of its failure to embrace democracy and good governance.
Kambwili said the failure by the MMD to mitigate poverty and unemployment was the reason why all well-meaning Zambians must support calls for the change of government.
“When ZCCM was in charge of the mines in Luanshya, we had about 19,000 workers, today it only employs 2,500. Do you think the people and the country would survive with such low levels of employment?
You cannot have a government which is full of political rhetoric and claiming that they are creating employment when the reality on the ground reveals untold misery,” said Kambwili.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LUANSHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Luanshya is eager to end Rupiah’s regime - Kambwili
By Misheck Wangwe in Luanshya
Wed 11 May 2011, 04:01 CAT
LUANSHYA residents are eager for elections because they have resolved to end Rupiah Banda’s corrupt regime, says Chishimba Kambwili.
In an interview, Kambwili who is Roan member of parliament, said it was irrational for the MMD to claim popularity on the Copperbelt when the mood of change of government in many towns was at its peak.
He said many Zambians were angry with the MMD and had resolved to give the PF leader, Michael Sata, massive support ahead of the elections.
Kambwili said the malicious television programmes and hateful utterances on public media by pro-MMD supporters had in fact made Sata popular and exposed President Banda’s corrupt activities and abuse of state institutions.
“The continued attacks on the PF and the abuse of the public media and other state institutions have exposed Rupiah Banda’s tyrannical leadership. Zambians are able to read between the lines …,” Kambwili said.
Kambwili said MMD was using vulnerable and hungry “chaps” to denounce the PF and other critical individuals including the Church.
“The abuse of state media and tyrannical politics are harmful to democracy and people will vote against them on that basis,” he said.
He said Zambians would vote the MMD out of government because of its failure to embrace democracy and good governance.
Kambwili said the failure by the MMD to mitigate poverty and unemployment was the reason why all well-meaning Zambians must support calls for the change of government.
“When ZCCM was in charge of the mines in Luanshya, we had about 19,000 workers, today it only employs 2,500. Do you think the people and the country would survive with such low levels of employment?
You cannot have a government which is full of political rhetoric and claiming that they are creating employment when the reality on the ground reveals untold misery,” said Kambwili.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, LUANSHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Chiluba seeks votes for Rupiah in Luanshya
By Zumani Katasefa
Sat 30 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
FORMER president Frederick Chiluba on Thursday pleaded with farmers and ex-miners in Luanshya to vote for President Rupiah Banda in next year's general elections.
Chiluba, who addressed farmers from Mpongwe, Luanshya and Chingola during a clandestine meeting at Luanshya's Cholwa Guesthouse, assured the audience that he would deliver all their concerns to President Banda.
According to a source, who attended the meeting but declined to be named, the farmers and ex-miners complained that the government had neglected them and the leaders merely visited them during election campaigns.
“But Chiluba assured them that he would deliver their concerns to President Banda. He Chiluba urged the people to vote for President Banda during the 2011 elections,” he said.
The source said the farmers complained that there was no link between the government and people at the grassroots level.
“But we are not happy with Chiluba, we are going to vote for a leader who we are going to identify. If you remember Chiluba caused a lot of damage to this town Luanshya, especially when he privatised the Luanshya mine to Binani Group of Companies. People lost jobs, children stopped schools. Here people were feeding on wild fruits. This man is not ashamed of himself,” the source complained.
The source said Chiluba was just wasting his time by campaigning for President Banda who had failed the country.
And Copperbelt Province UPND chairman Elisha Matambo warned Chiluba that he would face the wrath of the PF and UPND youths if he continued with his clandestine campaign meetings on the Copperbelt.
“Chiluba is wasting his time. I have heard right now Thursday afternoon he is addressing a meeting at Cholwa in Luanshya. We are going to face him, he should not think Zambians are foolish,” he said.
Matambo said Chiluba was a finished politician who was just after his selfish interests.
Chiluba has been on the Copperbelt Province for over a week now campaigning for President Banda under the guise of attending funerals.
Sources last week revealed that State House had bankrolled Chiluba's trip to the province to decampaign the PF-UPND pact and campaign for President Banda. According to the sources, Chiluba was also expected to travel to Northern and Luapula provinces on the same mission. But when contacted, his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba said Chiluba was on the Copperbelt to attend to family bereavements.
Labels: CHILUBA, LUANSHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Lamba chiefs reject Banda’s ‘baby blankets’
By Staff Reporters
Mon 04 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
SOME Lamba chiefs on the Copperbelt Province have rejected the ‘baby blankets’ that were given to them as gifts by President Rupiah Banda when he recently met the traditional leaders in Luanshya.
Well-placed sources at the provincial administration in Ndola yesterday revealed that the traditional leaders refused to take the blankets, which are now marooned at the provincial administration office.
“What happened was very embarrassing for the government and the President in particular. You know, when the President came to the Copperbelt where he even held a closed-door meeting with traditional leaders from the province at Luanshya’s Director’s Lodge, there was a ka token or should I say something prepared for the chiefs as well,” the source said.
“To be specific the chiefs were given about K5 million each to take. The President and his delegation also came with blankets to give the chiefs. But the most embarrassing part of this whole saga is with the blankets. I don’t know whether the people who were purchasing these blankets didn’t know or it was just deliberate because we were shocked to see the bundle of blankets that had already been dispatched to the chiefs returned. When we inquired we discovered that the chiefs had rejected the blankets on account that they were small and somehow inferior or simply not benefiting their status.
“The chiefs also felt lowered by the gift blankets because they didn’t expect to receive such a gift from the boss. For sure the blankets were small and inferior to be given to chiefs. It’s those blankets that are generally referred to as ‘baby blankets’ and are usually sold for K16,000 at Kamwala Trading Centre in Lusaka, that type which even sticks to your hair whereby every morning when you wake up you will have a task of removing them or you won’t go anywhere because they can be quite noticeable and embarrassing. No wonder the chiefs rejected them and as we speak now the last time I checked, the blankets were just bundled in the office of the secretary to the provincial permanent secretary unless they have removed them.”
The source said the incident had embarrassed the provincial administration.
“You and I are Africans my brother hence we know how revered traditional leadership is in our society. We also know that chiefs are quite sensitive to such matters.
That’s why some of the staff at the provincial administration complained that the government was just being disrespectful to the chiefs,” the source said.
“I am told even the chiefs really felt demeaned that they could be considered for such a cheap gift. I am also told some of them chiefs were even suggesting that we government might as well go and dump those blankets at the nearest hospital or even a prison for prisoners to be using them.”
The source said there were manoeuvres to correct the situation.
“Since this saga was quite embarrassing, the bosses want it to be kept secret because they have all realised the embarrassment it will cause when it comes out. That’s why they panicked and there was talk that there should be a replacement of those blankets,” the source said.
When contacted for comment, Copperbelt Province minister Mwansa Mbulakulima could neither deny nor confirm.
“Which…who donated them blankets? But how does it come to me I’m in my constituency apparently? You have got your information somewhere else…so who has donated what?” Mbulakulima asked.
After a reminder that he was being asked in his capacity as provincial minister, Mbulakulima responded: “Provincial minister, how do I explain that? I’m…I’m not seeing a connection. I don’t see the connection. Eeee… I don’t know if… I am sure you are aware that I didn’t attend the meeting so how do I know what transpired there?”
When told that he was not being asked about what transpired during President Banda’s meeting with the chiefs but about the donated blankets, Mbulakulima answered: “…Immediately after that meeting I am still in the constituency.”
Last month, President Banda met chiefs from Lambaland, among them chief Kalukumya, senior chief Ndubeni, senior chief Mushili, chieftainess Lesa, chieftainess Malembeka and chief Lumpuma.
Others were chieftainess Shimukunami, chief Fungulwe, chief Machiya, chief Shibuchinga, chief Mukutuma, chief Nkana and chief Nkambo.
Labels: CHIEFS, LUANSHYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Luanshya residents demonstrate
Written by Zumani Katasefa in Luanshya
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:48:59 AM
SCORES of Luanshya residents yesterday morning took to the streets over the government's delay to reopen the closed Baluba Mine which was placed under care and maintenance by Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM). Clergymen from various churches and Roan member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili led the former miners, women and children in the protest over the plight of the people of Luanshya.
The protestors covered a distance of about 15 kilometres from Mpatamato to Luanshya Civic Centre, causing traffic jam.
Business in the mining town came to a virtual standstill as the residents marched carrying placards that read: "Jobs first legal matters last" and "RB please save the mining industries from greedy investors" among others.
"We want jobs! We want jobs!" shouted the protesters, most of whom were clad in overalls and blew whistles.
At the civic centre grounds, the protesters demanded to be addressed by either mines minister Maxwell Mwale or Copperbelt provincial minister Mwansa Mbulakulima.
However, United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Reverend Derrick Kalanga said the Church would not remain silent over the problems prevailing in Luanshya following the closure of the mines.
Rev Kalanga said the people of Luanshya were disappointed with the way the government had behaved towards the problems that they faced.
"As the people of Luanshya we are disappointed with our government, the way it has treated the crisis of the closure of the mines in Luanshya. I would like to say only people with myopic minds cannot see the crisis the people of Luanshya are in," he said. "We are aware that the President had taken a lot of trips outside the country without taking any concrete measures as to mitigate the job crisis in Luanshya."
He said prior to the October 30 presidential election last year, President Banda promised people jobs, but the unemployment rate in the country had since risen.
He said it was unhealthy for any reasonable government to fail to look at the plight of its people.
"Our humble request to the government is to find an investor to invest in Luanshya Copper Mines. It's surprising to hear from [Dr] Kalombo Mwansa the Minister of Home Affairs that Luanshya Copper Mines is still holding on to the mines because of the unsettled bills. The first question is why did the government not tell LCM to settle their bills before they could close the mine?" Rev Kalanga asked. "Twakana ukutwangasha [We have refused to be fooled]."
Rev Kalanga said the sovereignty of the government should not only regulate the interest of the investor but be based on the domestic relationship.
And Fr Patrick Mwela of the Roman Catholic Church said it was unfortunate that government had decided to turn a blind eye to the problems that the people of Luanshya were facing.
"Government should listen to the voice of the people, because it is God speaking through them," he said. "The voice of the people is the voice of God."
He said the people of Luanshya were not asking for too much because all they needed were jobs.
"They are not asking for too much, they are not asking for posh cars. All they want is just to eat," he said.
Fr Mwela said children were out of school because of the financial crisis which had affected them and it seemed as though the government had condemned the people of Luanshya to death.
Luanshya District pastors fellowship spokesperson Jevan Kamanga said the government should provide US$48 million so that the mine could start running for a year as they look for another investor.
He said the situation could have being avoided had the government been serious enough.
Kamanga said the government should allow a local investor to partner with foreign investors if the mine was to run effectively.
Kamanga said what was happening in Luanshya was non-political and that it was cardinal for both the government to work hand in hand with opposition leaders to find a solution to the problems the people of Luanshya were experiencing.
Another clergyman, Fr Charles Chirwa said it was pointless to tell people to diversify in agriculture when they had no fertiliser.
"These people are used to mining, so it does not make sense to ask them to diversify. You need to train them as farmers," Fr Chirwa said.
Kambwili said the government should state clear ly when the mine would be opened.
He said the people of Luanshya would again next Monday stage another protest if the government would not announce when the mine would be opened.
Some residents gave government up to February 28 in which to reopen the mine, failure to which there would be no peace in the area.
"We are not going to dance to the tune of government. We need to fight and fight," said one resident on condition of anonymity.
Another resident, Celestine Chomba, said the government should stop telling people to diversify at the time the mines were down.
"We are not going to diversify. Diversify ifinshi? Icho chisungu chabo ba politician [Diversify in what? That is just English for the politicians]," Chomba said.
Another resident, Thomas Zulu said he was disappointed that Mwale had failed to address the residents.
"It is very embarrassing that the minister has failed to come and address us, even the Copperbelt minister is not here," Zulu said.
Zulu said Luanshya member of parliament Simon Kachimba, who is also labour deputy minister, was informed about the demonstration but decided to stay away.
"If people who voted for him are suffering and he decided to stay from such a thing, then what type of a leader is he?" Zulu asked.
The residents also threatened not to allow Luanshya district commissioner George Kapu to leave without an assurance over the mine.
Kapu said the government was committed to solving the problems that Luanshya residents were facing but could not say when the mine would be opened because he was just a messenger.
Shareholders recently pulled out of LCM and placed it under care and maintenance due to low copper prices, which they said had increased operational costs. LCM owns Baluba Mine and their pullout led to over 1,700 job losses.
Labels: GREAT DEPRESSION II, JOBLOSSES, LCM, LUANSHYA
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Luanshya hit by a critical shortage of mealie meal
January 13, 2009
Luanshya town has been hit by a critical shortage of mealie meal despite having a milling company in the area, namely, Antelope.
A check by ZANIS today in the central business area revealed that most of the outlets including shoprite, National milling outlet and other shops did not have the commodity.
Only one shop in the town had inadequate stocks of Olympic mealie meal which was going at K64,000, while Chimsoro brand was also pegged at K64,000 at Buseko Market at Nichorise shop.
A resident of Mikomfwa, Brian Chansa complained that the commodity had been scarce for almost a week and where it is available, it was still exorbitant, fetching at over K60,000.
Mr. Chansa said Government should move in and compel the millers buying maize from the Food Reserve Agency at a cheaper price, to reduce the retail prices of mealie meal. He wondered why some millers had stuck to the old prices when others had reduced the price of 25kg bag of breakfast mealie meal to as low as K49,000.
Meanwhile, three Hundred and Fifty(350) x 50 kg bags of relief maize meant for distribution in Chieftainess Muwezwa’s chiefdom in Itezhi-tezhi district have been stolen.
Nyambo ward community School Chairperson Huphrey Kashweka who is responsible for distribution in the area has confirmed the development in a walk-in interview with ZANIS in Itezhi-tezhi today.
Mr Kashweka said that the 350 bags of maize which have been stolen were part of government relief maize that is being distributed by the Adventist Relief Agency(ADRA) in selected wards in the district.
“we received about 1,725×50Kgs of government relief maize last December which were supposed to be distributed to the beneficiaries last week but we had to return all the beneficiaries home after discovering that 350×50Kgs of government relief maize had been stolen” he said.
Mr Kashweka said he has reported the matter to the Itezhi-tezhi district police station and the District Commissioner .
He however stated that some people who were entrusted to look after the relief maize have since been arrested.
ZANIS/FM/MKM/ENDS
Labels: LUANSHYA, MEALIE-MEAL
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Luanshya hit by a critical shortage of mealie meal
January 13, 2009
Luanshya town has been hit by a critical shortage of mealie meal despite having a milling company in the area, namely, Antelope.
A check by ZANIS today in the central business area revealed that most of the outlets including shoprite, National milling outlet and other shops did not have the commodity.
Only one shop in the town had inadequate stocks of Olympic mealie meal which was going at K64,000, while Chimsoro brand was also pegged at K64,000 at Buseko Market at Nichorise shop.
A resident of Mikomfwa, Brian Chansa complained that the commodity had been scarce for almost a week and where it is available, it was still exorbitant, fetching at over K60,000.
Mr. Chansa said Government should move in and compel the millers buying maize from the Food Reserve Agency at a cheaper price, to reduce the retail prices of mealie meal. He wondered why some millers had stuck to the old prices when others had reduced the price of 25kg bag of breakfast mealie meal to as low as K49,000.
Meanwhile, three Hundred and Fifty(350) x 50 kg bags of relief maize meant for distribution in Chieftainess Muwezwa’s chiefdom in Itezhi-tezhi district have been stolen.
Nyambo ward community School Chairperson Huphrey Kashweka who is responsible for distribution in the area has confirmed the development in a walk-in interview with ZANIS in Itezhi-tezhi today.
Mr Kashweka said that the 350 bags of maize which have been stolen were part of government relief maize that is being distributed by the Adventist Relief Agency(ADRA) in selected wards in the district.
“we received about 1,725×50Kgs of government relief maize last December which were supposed to be distributed to the beneficiaries last week but we had to return all the beneficiaries home after discovering that 350×50Kgs of government relief maize had been stolen” he said.
Mr Kashweka said he has reported the matter to the Itezhi-tezhi district police station and the District Commissioner .
He however stated that some people who were entrusted to look after the relief maize have since been arrested.
ZANIS/FM/MKM/ENDS
Labels: INFLATION, LUANSHYA, MEALIE-MEAL
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