By SENIYA BANDA
The intention by Government to settle issues involving Konkola copper mines and Vedanta outside the courts is the right way, Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba has said.
Recently, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe said that the issue would be handled outside the courts because Government could not wait for 2023.
However some stakeholders opposed the intention by government stating that it was suspicious among them being Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) general secretary Changala Siame who claimed the move was naïve and an illustration of hypocrisy of the highest order.
Mr Changala said at the last press conference that was held by President Hakainde Hichilema he remarked and categorically stated that; “His government had absolutely no intention of reinstating Vedanta”, but the current scenario is the opposite.
He said when Vedanta organised the mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, the President trotted there and made conflicting statement sand subsequently signalled the stop the court proceedings. “Last month the police in Chingola and Chililabombwe, by the instructions of the UPND government were frustrating the efforts of citizens by denying them their constitutional right of demonstrating against the return of Vedanta, but on another hand, they were granting permits to those that are protesting for the return of Vedanta,” he said.
But Mr Sinkamba said settling the issue of KCM and Vedanta in the courts would cost the country as it would incur more costs during the liquidation.
Mr. Sinkamba said this would also lead to the country not producing the expected copper production due to the limited operations of the mine under liquidation.
Mr Changala said Vedanta Resources, evaded taxes that amounted to US$107 million, which was established not by the local courts, but by London Arbitration Court of the High Court in United Kingdom.
He said this action was taken by former ZCCM IH, CEO Dr. Pius Kasolo which made it justifiable for his party to classify Vedanta Resources as sophisticated criminals because they deprived us with public funds that would have aided immensely in public service delivery.
Mr Siame the local mining contractors and suppliers of KCM under Vedanta Resources, were not being paid for a period of three (3) years, the bill accumulated to; Two Hundred million US dollars ($200 million), which is literally the economy of the Copperbelt. You can imagine the kind of pain and stress that our contractors and suppliers endured, some of which have not recovered up- to -date.
He said this was nothing, but complete Crookedness as they were literally and deliberately utilising the resources of the people to run the operations of the mine, without any remorse.
“They endangered the lives of many Zambians by discharging sulphuric acid and other toxic chemicals into Kafue River through Mushishima River. The Kafue River that supports life on the Copperbelt was ever clogged with silt from the smelter.
