By SILUMESI MALUMO and CHARLES MUSONDA
TO stop gold mining in the Lower Zambezi national park will amount to killing people who benefit from the only industry in Luangwa district, says Senior Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda people.
Chief Mphuka has told journalists in Lusaka that the mine is the only means that will create jobs for many unemployed youths in Luangwa district.
He has opposed some sectors of society and individuals calling for the stop to mining in the national park, branding them as heartless because people of Luangwa district are still wallowing in poverty due to unemployment.
He said Luangwa is one of the oldest and poorest districts in Zambia with many school leavers who are jobless.
Chief Mphuka said the district has no industries and agriculture is not taken seriously despite the area having plenty water.
He said animals are attacking people and it is important to keep nature but that people in the district do not get any value from the wildlife.
“Therefore we have waited too long for one industry that will give some of our people a living. Those saying the mining cannot take place in the national park are murderers,” Chief Mphuka said.
He said other areas have mining companies established in national parks and people have co-existed with animals without any challenges.
He cited Kalumbila as one of the examples of mines established in national parks and that the issue of mining in Lower Zambezi national park was given a go-ahead by the court that Kangalwu Copper mine should start.
Chief Mphuka said his worry is that people opposed to mining in the park are from Lusaka and have never been to the proposed site.
He said opponents of the mine have allegedly been compromised by some lodge owners.
And Senior Chief Mbuluma of Senga Luzi people says he does not understand why opponents of the mine have insisted that the industry should not start.
He said government gave a go-ahead and he welcomed the development.
He said once the mine starts people will reduce on poaching and incidences of crocodile attacks on Luangwa river will equally reduce as many people will be busy with mining. “Government listens when we the people speak and so far we have a lot of our children who have even been to school but they have nothing to do. My message is that we need a mining industry now.”
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