Zambia Weekly
In this issue
In this issue
Kabwe: Clean-up funding is running out 1 inated with lead that children should not play
731 of 2,431 workers remain at Zamtel 2
A Zain share price conspiracy? 2 Kabwe is still not clean. And now the funding
Quotes 2
Life is not improving in Zambia 3
Donors: Attack is the best defence 4 and richest lead mines in Africa. Mining and
Donor bashing: It runs in the region 5
Are bounced cheques a thing of the past? 5
Is uranium mining safe? 6 in Kabwe (Blacksmith Institute).
Advert: Vergo Laboratory Products 7 Blacksmith Institute.
Sata’s daughter married 8 The CEP, funded by the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund and managed by the
Editor’s note
President Banda’s second tirade against donors
(see page 4) provides a great lesson in inconsis-
tency. Both times he has told off donors in public
– to journalists – at the airport – although part
of the hullaballoo the first time was that donors
should not voice their concerns in the media.
This time he kept talking about donors – as in
more than one – despite America being the only
one quoted in the media. It turned out that other
donors had complained directly to Banda, so why
attack the donors in public when the public is
unaware of donors having attacked Banda? Then
we have former president Chiluba, the star of this
performance, who seems to have become a chum
of the MMD government, even though it was
the same government – albeit under a different
president – that instigated the UK court case
against Chiluba. Banda may doubt Chiluba’s
guilt – although the UK court thinks otherwise –
but why defend him? It has irritated Banda that
people question the government’s decision to not
appeal the High Court’s refusal to register the
UK judgment as the government will accept rul-
ings against it. Does this mean the High Court’s
ruling is considered favourable to the govern-
ment – even when we are talking about theft of
public funds? Finally, it is encouraging to see how
Chiluba, whose court case was delayed by treat-
ment for a heart ailment in South Africa, now is
healthy on the campaign trail for MMD. When
Chiluba mimicked Banda in his attack on donors
– plus a bit of ranting about pan-Africanism - it
all got rather emotional. Honestly, if the donors
really are so difficult, throw them out – why just
threaten to do so? Stop being inconsistent and
stick to trade and investments instead. After all,
most aid aids the donor only.
Week 35, Volume 1, Issue 21, 3 September 2010
Kabwe: Clean-up funding is running out
In certain areas of Kabwe the dust is so contam-
in it. Although lots have been done to minimise
the impact of 90 years of zinc and lead mining,
to the Copperbelt Environmental Project (CEF)
is about to dry up (Daily Mail 30).
In its heyday, Kabwe boasted one of largest
smelting ran almost continuously up until 1994
without addressing the dangers of pollution
with lead – one of the most potent neurotox-
Young men look for metal at the abandoned mine ins. Today, Kabwe is among the top ten most
polluted cities in the world, according to the
Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), has been seek-
ing to address the effects of lead poisoning in Kabwe. Residents with high blood levels have
been treated and the environment has been cleaned up near the closed mine. CEP has also
established environmental public information centres, water infrastructure and play parks in
11 communities worst affected.
Lead is particularly harmful to infants and children. According to the World Health Organi-
sation, blood levels above 10 microgrammes per decilitre (µg/dl) are considered unhealthy.
Above 40 µg/dl, symptoms of acute lead poisoning become apparent, including nausea, vom-
iting and diarrhea. Levels exceeding 120 µg/dl can cause permanent brain damage and death.
Children who play in the dust and young men who scavenge the mine for scraps of metal are
most susceptible to lead poisoning through inhalation. The United States’ regulatory levels for
lead concentrations in soil are 2,000 ppm for industrial sites and 400 ppm for residential sites.
Soil samples collected in 1995 from residential yards and surrounding areas in Kabwe showed
lead levels higher than 4,000 ppm. In samples near the mine’s waste water canal, which ran
through the heart of several housing districts, the lead levels exceeded 250,000 ppm.
According to the ZCCM-IH, children who are currently under observation and treatment for
lead poisoning in Kabwe display an average concentration of 60 µg/dl. The target of 25 µg/dl
has not yet been achieved, emphasised CEP medical doctor, Virginia Walubita.
Regardless, the funding to the CEP is scheduled to stop in March 2011, which probably will
result in the dissolution of the CEP. Likely stakeholders to get involved in the clean-up in
Kabwe include the Kabwe Municipal Council and the ministries of Health and Community
Development and Social Services. Hopefully this will happen - especially considering that in-
vestors, according to ZCCM-IH, have expressed interest in mining lead in Kabwe once again.
Fact box: The long road to a cleaner Kabwe
During its operations from 1904 to 1994, the Kabwe mine and smelter was run by ZCCM
along with all of the city’s services and health facilities. From 1989 to 1994, children and
miners visiting local clinics and hospitals were tested for lead - without their knowledge.
Children with high blood levels were often given chelation therapy to help flush out lead
and other heavy metals - and discharged without being told the reason for the treatment.
Then a former ZCCM health care worker, Kay-Valentine Musakanya, founded the Kabwe
Environmental and Rehabilitation Foundation (KERF) to gather evidence of lead poisoning
to force the government to address the problem. A grant from Global Greengrants Fund
enabled KERF to measure lead, and in 2003, the World Bank arrived on the scene with a
loan of 40 million US dollars to provide most of the funding for the Copperbelt Environ-
mental Project (CEP) with the aim to clean up and regulate mining on the Copperbelt.
CEP has also received 10 million US dollars from the Nordic Development Fund.
The best of the Zambian media 1
 Zambia Weekly News

The fate of our bumper harvest Quotes

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has surpassed
its maize purchasing target of 300,000 tonnes
by 18,129 tonnes. The agency has bought most
of its maize from southern province followed by
“ Let me tell you that the president hires
and fires. He appoints and disappoints.
When a person is hired, they are happy
northern and eastern provinces. The outstanding because they are even going to be
balance on farmer payments amounts to 327.9 sworn in. When they are fired, some-
billion kwacha as FRA still hasn’t secured a loan times (...) a person just feels his or her
of 700 billion kwacha (Post 31). Nevertheless, the name is not mentioned anymore and so
FRA has only bought a fraction of this year’s al-

”
they are disappointed.
leged bumper harvest of 2.8 million tonnes, so the
MMD National Chairman Michael
flickr.com/photos/jenny-pics/2564785938 private milling companies are now arriving on the
Mabenga (Post 28).
scene. Kasama Milling Company has just offered
to buy maize at K 50,000 per 50 kg bag, K 15,000 below the floor price of K 65,000 set by the
FRA. Director of Kasama Milling, Lupando Munkonge, said it was “prudent” for the private
sector to get involved in the maize marketing as the government won’t be able to buy all the
“ Women are only expected to chant
slogans, sing and dance for male can-
didates and not be candidates them-

”
maize. “It’s the only way we can support farmers out there,” he said. But the farmers said the selves.
price offered is too low to meet their production costs (Monitor and Digest 24 Aug - 6 Sep).
Zambia National Women’s Lobby execu-
tive director Rollen Mukanda
731 of 2,431 workers remain at Zamtel (Daily Mail 28).

Lap Green, the new owner of Zamtel, has retained only 731 workers of Zamtel’s 2,431
retrenched workers. The 731 workers have been offered three-month contracts to assess their
performance. Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) secretary general Roy Mwaba said
“ Many times that people have com-
plained to have been misquoted is simply
because they were careless and spoke

”
Lap Green had gone against the agreement it signed with the government to create jobs. “We what they should have not spoken.
have already started measures to ensure that this matter is handled carefully to protect the Kennedy Mambwe, Public Relations,
interests of the workers to avoid what is happening in Uganda,” Mwaba said. According to Marketing and Corporate Communica-
Mwaba, Lap Green has not signed a recognition agreement with the Uganda communica- tions Consultant (Post 31).
tions union since it bought a telecommunication company in that country in 2002 (Post 27).
But “former senior managers of Zamtel” castigated Mwaba for only revealing his finding on
Uganda now. “He went to Uganda two months before the company was sold,” one of the
workers said. Another worker said they could no longer trust ZCTU: “Why can’t this ZCTU
“ One of the biggest lessons of these
spillages is the amount of money
involved to clean the mess (...). In the
emulate the Mineworkers Union of Zambia who have shown resilence whenever a foreign Gulf of Mexico, BP is going to fork out
company wants to abuse the law” (Post 28). more than 5 times the annual budget of

”
Zambia.

A Zain share price conspiracy? Petrochemical consultant, Johnstone

Chikwanda, on Zambia’s oil exploration
intentions (Post 30).
Bharti Airtel has allegedly asked State House to reduce the Zain share price set by the

“
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “Highly placed government sources” have told
Of course she gets given things to give
the Post that some senior government officials are trying to put pressure on the SEC over
people, like old shoes and blankets. So
the share price. The SEC proposed a price of 1,126 kwacha per share for mandatory offer,
she has to go round. She is the mother
but this “has not gone down well with Bharti Airtel”, said the sources. Apparently the chief
of this country (...). Why deny Mpu-
executive officer for Bharti Africa, Manoj Kohli, recently “sneaked into the country” with the
lungu just because there is going to be a
view to get State House or presidential intervention to have the share price reduced. Bharti
Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal and Manoj Kohli did not respond to press queries, but Zain
Zambia public relations consultant Irene Musonda confirmed the discussions between Bharti
Airtel and SEC on the open offer matter. “After our entry into Zambia we have had routine
by-election?
”
President Banda on the criticism of the
first lady’s trip to Mpulungu (Post 27).

“
meetings with the senior leadership of the country to update them of our future plans in the
country. (...) We do not want to comment or speculate about the open offer price till our Her perceived authority and status by
board of directors take a decision,” Musonda said (Post 1). the public in an area like Mpulungu
district which is awaiting a by-election
cannot (...) be considered (...) a casual

”
visit of philanthropic nature.
Advertise in Zambia Weekly PF secretary general, Wynter Kabimba,
One full page in full colour for extra impact. in a letter to the Electoral Commission of
Only one advertiser per week. Zambia (Post 27).
Contact the editor for more details.

Zambia Weekly “ She is not mother of the nation; she is

”
the mother of Rupiah Banda’s twins!
PF president Michael Sata (Post 28).

The best of the Zambian media 2

 Zambia Weekly News
Life is not improving in Zambia
Although Zambia’s human development index (HDI) has increased
since 2000, it still hasn’t surpassed levels last seen in the early 1990s
(see figure). The HDI looks beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
to a broader definition of well-being. It provides a composite measure
of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy
life, being educated and having a decent standard of living. University
of Zambia lecturer Lemba Nyirenda recently pointed out that Zam-
bia’s latest HDI (2007) is 0.481, which gives the country a rank of
164 out of 182 countries, while the country was ranked 138th in 1994
– after more than 10 years of national development (Post 30).
NCC is no more!
The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has handed over
the draft constitution and final report to the government for onward
transmission to parliament for enactment. Vice-president George
Kunda, who is also Minister of Justice, said government will begin
the necessary legislative processes. Some of the new provisions will
involve “extensive reforms” before they can be implemented, including
the planning of “significant financial implications” before the draft
constitution can be enacted by parliament. One such provision is the
NCC’s decision to increase the composition of the National Assembly
from 150 to 225 constituency-based seats. At the same time the gov-
ernment will prepare to submit to a referendum the alteration of the
Bill of Rights along with the provisions not agreed upon by the NCC.
Kunda praised the NCC for its work: It is “misleading to suggest that
the conference, in taking the informed decisions that it took on all
provisions and in rejecting some of those provisions, failed the people
of Zambia,” the vice-president said. Some civil society organisations
agreed with him – others didn’t (Daily Mail 31/1).
Conflicts in brief
Lundas versus Luvales
Scores of Luvales marched through the streets of Zambezi on
the morning of 28 August in defiance of police’s denial of a
permit to march following threats from the Lundas to at-
tack the Luvales traditional procession from the graveyard of
the Makishi dancers for the annual Likumbi Lya Mize Cer-
emony. According to sources, the Luvales were armed with
pangas, knives, spears and axes. “Fortunately,” said a witness,
“the Lundas were not around.” But the police arrested five
Lunda headmen from Chilang’a area and one from Dipalata on
grounds that they had weapons to harm the Luvales. By noon,
chieftainess Nyakuleng’a accompanied by protestors arrived on
feet from Mukandankunda 15 kilometres away to pressurise the
police to release the headmen. North Western Police command-
ing officer Charles Lungu said he had not received a report on
the disturbances (Post 1).
PF versus UPND
The youth wings of the United Party for National Develop-
ment (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) have clashed. First,
UPND national youth chairman, Joe Kalusa, said the governing
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) will scoop the
2011 general elections because it has a good working mani-
festo contrary to the PF-UPND Pact. This resulted in an angry
response from PF youth national secretary Eric Chanda, who
called for Kalusa’s resignation. “He is acting like one who has
been bought,” Chanda said. He did, however, ask the PF-UP-
ND leadership to step aside and allow the youth wings to take
over until all the pending issues surrounding the partnership are
resolved (Daily Mail 1).
This week’s figures
Maize export: The Food Reserve Agency will export
160,000 tonnes of last year’s maize to regional markets
through local companies at prices between K 37,500 and K
45,000 per 50 kg bag. The maize was bought at K 65,000
per bag. The loss will be offset by the government (Post 31).
the world’s bread basket: Africa produces 10
percent of the world’s crops – despite possessing roughly
25 percent of the land under cultivation. Africa holds 60
percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land – with the
potential for African yields to grow in value from USD 280
billion today to USD 880 billion in 2030. Agriculture is
the most important source of livelihood throughout Africa,
accounting for more than 70 percent of total employment.
(Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis
Network (FANRPAN) in the Post 1).
The best of the Zambian media 3
 Zambia Weekly This week’s controversy
Donors: Attack is the best defence
On 27 August – at the airport – president
Rupiah Banda launched “scathing attacks”
on donors and Zambians who demand an
appeal against High Court Judge Evans
Hamaundu’s ruling on former president
Frederick Chiluba (Post 27).
Two weeks ago Hamaundu ruled that Zam-
bia cannot register the London High Court
judgment, which found Chiluba and seven
others liable for the theft of public funds
worth about 46 million US dollars. This
means the state cannot pursue properties
and other assets owned by the convicts in Zambia. Instead they will
have to be satisfied with overseas assets. Regardless, the government
decided to not appeal Hamaundu’s ruling.
Despite the USA being the only country to publicly criticise the gov-
ernment’s decision, there has been a “line of ambassadors” complain-
ing directly to the president, said Banda, while walking to his airplane.
He told the donors “to pack their bags and go” instead of “sticking
their noses in our business to try and influence the elections” with
reference to next year’s general elections (Daily Mail 27).
The president explained that the government has spent a large
amount of money on lawyer fees in the UK – mentioning figures of
at least 14 million US dollars – and now it should be allowed “to con- tion in 2002 while the London process started years later.
centrate on doing what we are doing: bringing development to this
country”. This is the second time Banda has told off donors.
The last time, about two months ago, he rapped donors – again at
the airport – for talking to the media about freezing of funds in the
health and road sectors following revelations of financial irregularities. Chiluba (Post 31).
Needless to say the reactions to Banda’s recent reprimand were imme-
diate – and predictable. The opposition condemned the president, and
civil society was divided along the usual lines of loyalty (see page 5),
but then in a new turn of events the attack concentrated on the UK.
Donors – according to the editorials
Post Editorial 28 August:
It seems to be a terminal illness for troubled African poli-
ticians to always blame their differences with the interna-
tional community on imperialism. Even the most pro-
imperialist African politicians – like Frederick Chiluba
- will propound empty anti-imperialist rhetoric whenever
they are called upon by the international community to
account to their people for the way they are handling their
resources and the way they are dealing with governance
issues. If imperialism threatened our country in any small
way, we wouldn’t need a clarion call from anyone to join
the fight against it. Rupiah’s problem has nothing to do
with imperialism. It was not the donors that demanded
the prosecution of Chiluba; that initiated the London
High Court litigation against Chiluba. It was our people
and their elected representatives that did so.
The Zambia Direct Democracy Movement
and the Forum for Progressive Politics peti-
tioned the British government to apologise
for having imposed a “fake corruption fight”
on Zambia (Times 27). But in a statement
Britain said it had no role in the case against
Chiluba. “The case (...) was brought to the
London courts by the Zambian government,”
the statement reads in part (Daily Mail 28).
The UK further stated it had supported the
Zambian government in its fight against cor-
ruption and will continue to do so. Hypocrisy,
said the executive director of the Committee of Citizens, Gregory
Chifire: Britain provided technical and financial assistance to the
Taskforce on Corruption and persuaded the taskforce to commence
the court process against Chiluba (Times 30).
Honestly, said the president of Patriotic Front, Michael Sata, the case
against Chiluba was initiated by our government through Attorney
General George Kunda – who now is Banda’s vice-president (Post 1).
Furthermore, said the UK, it is important to point out that Zambia
has already recovered, in Belgium and elsewhere, substantial sums of
money as a result of the London judgment. No, retorted Chifire, the
Belgium apartments were handed over to the Taskforce on Corrup-
A happy Chiluba made an exemption to talk with journalists directly
rather than through his spokesperson after the adjournment of his
wife’s case at the Supreme Court (see page 5). “I am smiling (...).
It’s a good smile, broad smile, a genuine one,” said a broadly smiling
“You don’t have to commit murder for the donors to hate you, you
just have to be a genuine nationalist and a real Pan-Africanist,” added
Chiluba, who assured the journalists that no assets had been recovered
from him through the London High Court judgment (Times 31).
Daily Mail Editorial 1 September:
It is also very unfortunate that in this day and age some of
our own so-called national leaders can stoop so low to even
suggest that this country needs some of these noisy diplo-
mats more than they need us. The spell that seems to have
been cast on some of our leaders by the colonial masters
has remained and even if the physical shackles of colonial-
ism may have been removed, their souls and minds have
remained in bondage and for their own political expedi-
ency. As Dr Chiluba has rightfully stated, these elements
are being used as puppets bent on discrediting their own
government by pouring all kind of scorn through all means
of chicanery to ensure that the will of their masters is done.
The accusations that Dr Chiluba has brought to the fore
are ones that should be analysed critically by all thinking
Zambians who should not be gullible about such half-
hearted pronunciations that they have the best interests of
all Zambians at heart.
The best of the Zambian media 4
 Zambia Weekly News linked to Chiluba’s case

NGOs with political motives Donor Quotes

If something of a political nature happens in Zambia it is certain it will be accompanied by
comments from various civil society organisations. Journalists know exactly which organisa-
See also articles page 4.
tions to contact to get the right quote – for or against the government. In connection with
former president Chiluba’s corruption case, government has challenged Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) with political motives to come out in the open: “Once NGOs register
as service providers they should stay as such,” said Minister of Communication, Development
“ I think that some Zambians should be
ashamed of themselves to be openly
agents of foreign countries. The moment
and Social Services, Michael Kaingu: “Those who want politics should say so, so that we can our government took a position that
meet them as politicians” (Daily Mail 1). Some of the government’s strongest critics include we were not going to appeal, there was
Transparency International Zambia, the Southern African Centre for the Constructive a line-up of ambassadors speaking the

”
Resolution of Disputes, Citizens Forum, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction and Change Life same way the opposition is speaking.
Zambia. Ardent supporters include the Committee of Citizens, Forum for Leadership Search, President Rupiah Banda (Post 27).
Forum for Progressive Politics and the Authentic Advocates for Justice and Democracy.

Donor bashing: It runs in the region

“ The London Judgment is still in force.
It was not overturned on appeal. The
Zambian government won the case.
One day after president Rupiah Banda had told off Zambian donors, Malawi president Bingu Appeals were allowed only on two sub-
wa Mutharika threatened to chase aid donors and close newspapers for reporting that an sections of the case relating to alleged
estimated 1.5 million people need food aid in Malawi despite improved harvests. “I am tired. money-laundering offences by two
This country is not run by you donors or the newspapers in this country. This country is run by
me,” he said. Wa Mutharika reacted to a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
study backed by the British government’s department for overseas development that was
defendants.
”
British High Commissioner to Zambia
Tom Carter (Post 28).

“
printed in a local paper. Donors have also questioned the country’s plans to export 300,000
We need the donors more than we
tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe this year. “I will be forced to close down your newspapers and if
need Rupiah Banda. So let him pack his
any donor dares say something, you can go away,” wa Mutharika said. Overseas aid is equiva-

”
bags and go.
lent to about 20 percent of Malawi’s economy. However, more than half of its children aged
under five were suffering from malnutrition in 2008, according to the World Bank (Reuters in President of Patriotic Front, Michael Sata
Times 28). (Post 28).

Regina’s appeal case adjourned “ We urge government to consider dip-

lomatic action against the British High

”
Commissioner.
Judgment in the appeal case of former president Chiluba’s wife, Regina, has been adjourned Former PF secretary general Edward
to 30 October 2010. Regina was last year sentenced to three and a half years simple impris- Mumbi (Times 30).
onment by the Lusaka Magistrates Court on five counts of failing to account for properties
believed to have been stolen or illegally acquired, including a Toshiba 61-inch television.
“ Corruption cannot be resolved by courts

”
Regina appealed against her conviction to the High Court. The matter was adjourned because alone.
the three judges were handling other cases (Daily Mail 31). National Chairman of National Demo-
cratic Party, David Kasuba (Times 31).

Are bounced cheques a thing of the past? “ If the fight against corruption begins
and ends with the successful prosecu-
tion of Dr Chiluba, then we are not
Police have refused to arrest and prosecute Deputy Minister of Gender, Lucy

”
being serious.
Changwe, for bouncing a cheque of 10 million kwacha in a house purchase transac-
Chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people
tion. Roger Musonda, the owner of the property, told the Post that the police had
of Kazungula (Daily Mail 31).
informed him that at the time of issuing the 10 million kwacha cheque, on 21 May
2010, Changwe had 23 million kwacha in her account. “They said that because of
that she can’t be prosecuted because the cheque, which I deposited the same day,
was given to me when she had money in the account,” Musonda explained. Muso-
“ The people and organisations that are
talking about the issue; do they have
the mandate to speak for the people?
nda’s cheque bounced, because Changwe had written other cheques whose total ex- How have they come to know that the
ceeded her 23 million kwacha account balance. By the time Musonda’s cheque had Zambian masses want a certain issue? I
moved from Mkushi to Lusaka, Changwe’s account only contained 2 million kwa- have not heard of any referendum. Who
cha. Wait a minute, said an upset Post: “If the police’s reasoning is accepted, then is the client? I will not get an instruction
very few, if any, would be prosecuted for bouncing a cheque. We say this because if from Peter Zulu who walks into my of-
one has K 23 million in his or her account on a particular day, one can issue as many fice and says do this. Article 54 says the
cheques as possible on that same day to as many people as possible as long as none client is the state, and who is the state?
of them is more than K 23 million.” Musonda, who is no fan of the governing party, It is the people who come from the con-

”
stated that “I still believe that the people [police] were not supposed to interpret the stitutionally recognised institutions.
law because that’s the prerogative of the courts” (Post 27/30).
Attorney General Abyudi Shonga on
why he did not appeal (Post 31).

The best of the Zambian media 5

 Zambia Weekly Mining
Is uranium mining safe?
Minister of Mines, Maxwell Mwale, has
said uranium mining is safe. This follows
a recent release of a uranium policy re-
view report titled Prosperity unto Death:
Is Zambia ready for Uranium mining?
The report, which was published by the
Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ),
states that uranium mining is a “dan-
gerous venture” that requires stringent
safety measures to prevent radiation. The
report concludes that Zambia lacks a specific policy framework on uranium:
“The current policy leaves the onus on safety on the mining companies and
the supervision strength of the ministry of mines is not there,” the report
stated (Post 13 July).
But Mwale dismissed the report as “alarmist” (Post 31): “It’s scientifically
incorrect to say uranium mining is dangerous. It only becomes dangerous
when you start enriching it,” he said (Daily Mail 31). But is that completely
correct?
In 2006, Zambia’s Minister of Mines, Kalombo Mwansa, explained that
uranium “is a dangerous mineral” (Angola Press 31 May 2006), and in 2009,
the Copperbelt Environmental Project moved more than 20,000 tonnes of
uranium tailings to a safe holding place in the Mopani mine area to “elimi-
nate danger to the public”.
In many respects uranium mining is much the same as any other mining,
as uranium in itself has a very low level of radioactivity. However, uranium
minerals are always associated with more radioactive elements such as radium
and radon in the ore, though with lower grade ore they pose less of a hazard.
Currently, three companies, African Energy Resources, Denison Mine
Zambia Limited and Lumwana Mining Company are involved in uranium
exploration in Zambia, although Lumwana is stockpiling its uranium as a
side-line to its copper exploration. Mwale said it had now become “prudent”
for the country to explore possible export of uranium due to the establish-
ment of China and Asia nuclear plants (Times 9 July).
Read the complete CCZ report on www.africafiles.org.
Bwana Mkubwa to close down
Canadian First Quantum Minerals has postponed plans to close Bwana
Mkubwa processing plant to mid-September. Technical manager Andre
Scott said the plant remained with about 20,000 tonnes of copper oxide ore
imported from the DRC, before the plant will close down. Bwana Mkubwa
has failed to source economically viable ore from sources in Zambia. Last
year, First Quantum was granted the approval to open a new copper mine in
Mkushi to provide feedstock to Bwana Mkubwa, whose operations were first
halted in 2008 due to lack of raw materials (Reuters in Daily Mail 30).
Controversial mining firm has arrived
The Brazilian mining giant Vale SA, which has been strongly criticised by the
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ), has started building its new cop-
per mine at Konkola North, jointly owned with African Rainbow Minerals
(ARM). Vale SA and ARM will invest 380 million US dollars in the mine.
Commissioning of the concentrator plant is expected in the end of 2012. The
mine is planned to reach full production in 2015. MUZ recently threatened
to block attempts by government to let Vale operate in the country because of
its poor human rights record (Post 30).
Business in brief
Kasama Coffee Company to resurrect
Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) will approve a
strategic plan to revive Kasama Coffee Company, one
of Zambia’s largest coffee plantations in the Northern
Province. Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry,
Felix Mutati, said the coffee plantation was literally
abandoned by the last investor who left debt in excess
of 890 million US dollars – money the government
will have to settle after the plantation was put under
receivership by some commercial banks last year. Zam-
bia’s coffee output is expected to drop to 1,250 tonnes
from 1,643 tonnes last year (Times 1).
The clash of the soft drinks
The president of Coca Cola’s Eurasia and Africa group,
Ahmet Bozer has said Zambia will remain a strategic
market for its Coca-Cola brand as evidenced by the
positive business trends in the country. Bozer, who vis-
ited Zambia on a trade visit, toured Zambian Breweries
and various distribution, sales depots and retail outlets
(Times 1). Coca Cola is soon to get stiffer competition
from Pepsi. Varun Beverages of India, the owner of the
Pepsi franchise in Zambia, is building a multi-million
plant further down the road from Zambian Breweries.
It was expected to open in August.
MMD to hold NEC meeting
The governing Movement for Multiparty De-
mocracy (MMD) will hold its national executive
committee (NEC) meeting on 4 September.
MMD acting national secretary Chembe Nyangu
said top of the agenda of the meeting will be
MMD party mobilisation and the on-going party
elections. The MMD will also decide the fate of
the two MMD rebel MPs, Ng’andu Magande
and George Mpombo. The two former minis-
ters have continued making public statements
attacking the party leadership despite MMD
having instituted disciplinary action against
them. “[D]epending on the mood, NEC might
decide to heed to members’ calls and expel the
two MPs from the party,” Nyangu said. None
of the two will be allowed to attend the NEC
meeting,which is being held at State House
(Daily Mail 1).
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 Zambia Weekly News: Economy

On the road to Angola Deaths in brief

The third financer of the 85-kilometre Kalabo-Sikongo-Angola border road has come on
board. The project is expected to be co-financed by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Devel-
opment (KFAED), Arab Bank for African economic development (BADEA), OPEC Fund ACC chairman dies
for international development (OFID), the Saudi Fund and the Zambian government. Zam- The chairman of the Anti-Corruption
bia has previously signed financing agreements with BADEA and OFID, and now KFAED Commission, justice Valentine Chileshe,
has given Zambia a loan of 13.6 million US dollars (about 67 billion kwacha). Remaining is died on 28 August 2010 at Lusaka’s
the Saudi Fund. Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said, Kalingalinga Hospice. Chileshe, who
once the road is constructed, Zambia is expected to benefit from increased trade with Angola. was admitted to hospital for some time,
The project is estimated to cost 54 million US dollars (Daily Mail 27). died of diabetes and low blood pressure.
Chileshe was buried on 1 September
Inflation down in August at the Leopards Hill Memorial Park in
Lusaka after a valedictory service at the
The annual rate of inflation has reduced slightly in August to 8.2 percent. The reduction of 0.2 Supreme Court and a church service at
percentage point was caused by a decline in food prices, according to the Central Statistical the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Post
Office (CSO). The annual food inflation rate reduced from 4.1 percent in July to 2.9 percent 30, MuvuTV.com 31).
in August. CSO acting director John Kalumbi said that the national average price of a 25 kilo-
gramme bag of roller meal had reduced by 7.1 percent between July and August, while that of Somali ambassador dies
breakfast meal had reduced by 2.7 percent. The annual non-food inflation, on the other hand,
increased from 12.6 percent in July to 13.4 percent in August, mainly driven by increases in Somali ambassador to Zambia, Omar
prices of clothing and footwear, household fuel and lighting, furniture and household goods, Mohammad Umar, 53, has been found
medical care and other goods and services (Post 27). dead in the bathroom at his Kabulonga
residence in unclear circumstances. Com-
missioner of police Graphael Musamba
Another trade surplus in July said the workers at the residence got
concerned when the ambassador did not
Zambia has recorded a trade surplus of 1.07 billion Kwacha in July 2010. The Acting Director come out of the house and therefore they
of Census and Statistics at the Central Statistical Office, John Kalumbi, said the country has called one of Umar’s relatives living in
continued to register trade surpluses since January 2010 with the highest value of 1.15 billion Emmasdale. After reporting the matter
kwacha recorded in March. Zambia major export products comprise copper cathodes and a at the Woodlands Police Station, they
selection of refined copper and copper blister which accounted for 81.8 percent of exports found the deceased in the bathroom
(Daily Mail 30). “facing down and blood coming from
the nose”. Musamba said the body of the
deceased was at the University Teaching
Hospital’s mortuary awaiting the arrival
of relatives for a postmortem to be car-
Sata’s daughter married ried out. Umar’s wife and children were
The colourful wedding ceremony that joined Chilufya Sata and Chimwemwe Si- in Canada. The police have commenced
chinga brought together two prominent families - and president of Patriotic Front, investigations to determine the cause of
Michael Sata, took on another role when he led his daughter down the aisle. death (Post 27).

When asked how she feels when people talk ill of her father, Chilufya, who is an
assistant sales manager and customer care coordinator at Zambian Lotto, said she
respects other people’s opinions. “As children we learnt to deal with his political
career (...). I have learnt to take every blow, every opinion. I even laugh about it
sometimes,” she said. Despite coming from a well-to-do family, Chilufya said she
Zambia Weekly
has been taught to work hard. “I have never used my name to get any favours,” she
Week 35, Volume 1, Issue 21, 3 September 2010
said.
Zambia Weekly is a free e-zine that extracts
Chilufya’s new husband, Chimwemwe, who is the proprietor of Power Search the news you really need to know about. It
Contractors, said he has a good relationship with his father-in-law. “A lot of people provides an effortless way of keeping up-to-
asked me if I was not scared dating Mr Sata’s daughter. At first I was pretty scared. date with current affairs in Zambia. Zambia
(...) The first time he found me in his the sitting room, he just greeted me. From Weekly is being distributed by email every
there onwards, we just greeted. I don’t know whether he knew I was dating the Friday. If you wish to advertise in Zambia
daughter or maybe he thought I was just a friend,” Chimwemwe said. Weekly please contact the editor. Feel free
to share Zambia Weekly with colleagues and
He feels privileged to have Sata as his father-in-law: “For me, he is in politics friends. Comments, criticisms or suggestions
because he wants to fight for the rights of the people,” Chimwemwe said. are always welcome!

Despite supporting Sata’s political career, the young couple has no intentions of Editor: Camilla Hebo Buus
zambiaweekly@gmail.com
joining the political arena (Sunday Post). Mobile 0977 461 877

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