By ROGERS KALERO
FRANK Zimba, popularly known as ‘Fimba Upoke’ the UPND zealot who has in the recent days been exposing corruption in the awarding of contracts by Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) yesterday led scores of contractors and suppliers in protest against the mining giant which has been accused of favouring foreign companies at the expense of loacal enterprenuers.
Zimba, now the outspoken UPND cadre has openly accused some State House officials and high-ranking government and party officials on the Copperbelt of influencing and determining the awarding of contracts at Mopani to some Indian cartel, which has disadvantaged local suppliers.
The group, visibly disappointed at the turn of events have now petition President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene because some of his officials at State House were allegedly involved in the corruption of awarding supply tenders.
Zimba and his group were forced to make their appeal to President Hichilema at Nkana East Cemetery after they were chased from David Mwila House by the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), the owners of the building
The more than 50 suppliers and contractors disclosed that they were owed millions in arrears dating as far back as November last year by Mopani, have accused Indian nationals at the mine of interfering with local businesses and awarding contracts to fellow Indian manufacturers.
Davies Daka, Fredrick Chomba, Christopher Bwalya, Conrad M’hango, and Enock Mwanza all took turns addressing the media on behalf of other affected contractors and suppliers, lamenting that orders at the giant mining company were currently taking up to six months to process, despite timely submission of quotations.
“President Hakainde Hichilema, help us. We are suffering as mine suppliers and contractors. The same cartel which was at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is the same cartel which has now come to MCM. This is the same cartel which brought KCM down. We voted out the Patriotic Front (PF) because of the same things. Mr President help us, the mines are for Zambians, not these foreigners. We are the ones who vote,” Mr Mwanza said
And speaking on behalf of female suppliers and contractors, Rachel Sidibe lamented that the unfavourable business environment at MCMi under the new investor, International Resource Holdings-IRH, had worsened the plight of female entrepreneurs, who were already facing a daunting task competing in the male-dominated sector.
And Zimba, the man who mooted the Fimba Upoke mantra has warned that the ruling party risks losing popularity on the Copperbelt if President Hichilema was going to fail to intervene in addressing the concerns of local suppliers.
Mr Zimba said when he spoke through a video which went viral about issues at MCM, some people called him all sort of names, but he was happy that the protest and petitioning of President Hichilema over the issues at the giant mining company had vindicated him
“When I talked about issues at MCM, people thought I was telling lies and doing propaganda, but now that the mine contractors have spoken for themselves, am happy that I have been vindicated. Listen to what they are saying,” Zimba said
When contacted for a comment, Mines and Mineral Development Minister Paul Kabuswe said his office had already engaged MCM and that the matter would soon be resolved.
