Emerald miners want Kabuswe dismissed

EMERALD Mining Associations have accused Mines and Mineral Development Minister Paul Kabuswe of appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to dismiss him because he (Kabuswe) has messed up the ministry of Mines.

The Emerald Mining Association says following the calls for the dismissal of two Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry within 18 months, it had become clear that the controlling officers were but sacrificed at the political altar.

Emerald Production Watch of Zambia (EPWOZ) president Musa Kafimbwa and his Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) counterpart Victor Kalesha said Mr Kabuswe should be fired or moved to another ministry because he had failed to deliver.

When contacted for a comment, Mr Kabuswe said in a text message: “Sorry, I cannot talk right now.” When further contacted, Mr Kabuswe claimed he had been a victim of malice from the day he was appointed.

But in an interview, the two emerald mining union leaders said President Hichilema should consider dismissing Mr Kabuswe and replace him with a corrupt-free individual because according to them, the minister was corrupt and had failed to run the Ministry.

Mr Kafimbwa, the EPWOZ president said President Hichilema should consider reshuffling his cabinet and identify and appoint individuals who would not engage in corruption but align themselves with his vision of the head of State.

And Mr Kalesha, the ESMAZ president said it was becoming increasingly worrying how Permanent Secretaries were being fired at the Ministry of Mines because it was contributing to poor performance of the mining sector.

Mr Kalesha also said the high turnover of controlling officers at the Ministry of Mines was contributing to institutional memory loss.