Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:13:42 +0000
…over threats to cause problems in Luanshya
By Violet Tembo & Ketra Kalunga
ATTEMPTS by Roan law maker, Chishimba Kambwili to win cheap popularity over the reopening of Baluba mine have received sharp rebuke with police warning him to respect the law and not cause trouble at the mine.
And Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda, says there is no need to use bullying tactics over Baluba mines because the government has already engaged the Chinese-owned mine to ensure that they speed up reopening mine.
Mr Chanda said it was wrong for people who had done nothing to push for the reopening of the mine when they had the authority, to want to jump on the bandwagon now that Government had already engaged the Mine owners over the issue.
“The people of Luanshya should continue to have faith in President Lungu because a lot has been done behind the scenes to ensure that the mine is opened and people employed contrary to daydreamers who don’t even know when it will happen,” Mr Chanda said.
Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Charity Katanga has advised Roan Member of Parliament, Chishimba Kambwili and abide by the laws and regulations.
This follows Mr Kambwili’s threats in Ndola that Luanshya will not be peaceful if the Chinese-run mine is not operational by January next year.
Ms. Katanga said police will apply the law firmly and fairly to all. She said law abiding citizens are expected to comply with the Public Order Act when holding public meetings or protests.
She has since warned Copperbelt residents not to participate in illegal gatherings as they risked arrest.
“I’m not aware about the protests being planned by Roan (MP) against some Chinese owned mine. To the best of my knowledge, we have not received any notification.
But we advise the public to ensure that if they want to participate in such gatherings, they should ensure that the organisers comply with the law.
Mr Kambwili told journalists in Ndola that he had planned to conduct a one-man demonstration at the Chinese embassy in Lusaka over the continued closure of Baluba mine in Luanshya.
He said that he only rescinded his decision following an assurance from the investors that the mine would be operational in January 2018.
Mr Kambwili said he had warned the investor that failure to own up to his word, Luanshya would witness demonstrations across the district.
AND Mr Chanda has since thanked the miners, union leaders and the efforts of other stakeholders for the positive stance they took to engage Luashya Copper Mines on the possibility of reopening Baluba mine.
