Tuesday, 28th October, 2025

Tuesday, 28^th October, 2025

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

MEMBERS OF STAFF FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of the following members of staff from the Parliament of Uganda:

Dr Robert Tumukwasibwe - Assistant Director and

Leader of Delegation;

Ms Judith Taaka - Principal Clerk Assistant;

Ms Merina Barungi - Principal Clerk Assistant;

Mr Peter Odeke - Senior Clerk Assistant;

Mr Mpuga Mohammed Rukidi - Senior Clerk Assistant;

Ms Doreen Atuhaire - Clerk Assistant;

Mr Andrew Gamusi George - Clerk Assistant;

Mr Emmanuel Opio - Clerk Assistant; and

Ms Saudah Babirye - Clerk Assistant.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome our guests into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM CITY OF HOPE, MUKANDO BOARDING, AND MAGOYE SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from City of Hope Secondary School of Chilanga District, Mukando Boarding Secondary School of Chitambo District and Magoye Secondary School of Mazabuka District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I welcome all our visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ZAMBIA STANDING ORDERS, 2024

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to remind the House that the process of reviewing the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, commenced about two weeks ago. In this regard, a circular dated 15^th October, 2025, was issued to all hon. Members seeking their views or proposals aimed at streamlining the Standing Orders to enhance the smooth running of business in the House.

Hon. Members are reminded that the deadline for submission of proposals is Friday, 31^st October, 2025, and are encouraged to submit their proposals within the remaining time.

I thank you.

CONSULTATIONS ON CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Madam Speaker: I wish to inform the House that the Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training (IPST) is carrying out consultations on curriculum design and development for Members of Parliament. As part of the consultation process, the institute has developed questionnaires for the purpose of identifying capacity needs for hon. Members. In this regard, questionnaires will be distributed to all hon. Members through their pigeon holes. Hon. Members are requested to submit filled-in questionnaires to the Director, Journals and Table Office Department, before Friday, 31^st October, 2025.

All hon. Members are urged to take a keen interest in this process by providing the necessary input.

I thank you.

_______

BUSINESS STATEMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the House Business Committee met on Thursday, 23^rd October, 2025, to determine and schedule Business of the House for the period 28^th October to 7^th November, 2025.

Madam Speaker, the House Business Committee resolved to lay before the House, business for consideration in the next two weeks, as set out below:

Announcements

The Hon. Speaker may make announcements, if there will be any.

Rulings

The Hon. Speaker will render Rulings, if there will be any.

Ministerial Statements

The hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment will present a Ministerial Statement on the subject, “The Status of the Comprehensive Assessment for the Sino Metals Pollution Incident”, today, 28^th October, 2025.

The hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation will present a Ministerial Statement on the subject, “Strategic Water Supply Interventions in the Western Province.” This will be considered on 30^th October, 2025.

Reports on International Conferences

The Report of the Zambian Delegation to the 54^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, held in Banjul, the Gambia, from 10^th to 16^th August, 2025, will be considered on 5^th November, 2025.

Motion

The Hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning will move the Motion of Supply on Tuesday, 4^th November, 2025. The Motion will be debated for a period of ten sitting days, in line with Order No. 170 (2) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024.

Bills

The following Bills will be considered:

The Small Claims Court (Amendment) Bill, No. 16 of 2025, Second Reading, to be considered on 4^th November, 2025;

The Cotton Bill, No. 12 of 2025, Second Reading, to be considered on 5^th November, 2025;

The Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill No. 11 of 2025, Second Reading, to be considered on 7^th November, 2025; and

The Occupational Health and Safety Bill, No. 17 of 2025, Second Reading, to be considered on 7^th November, 2025

Parliamentary Committee Reports

The following Committee reports will be considered:

The Report of the Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs’ on the Ratification of the Agreement Establishing Shelter Afrique Development Bank, to be considered on 30^th October, 2025;

The Report of the Committee on Planning and Budgeting on the Consideration of the 2026 Annual Borrowing Plan, to be considered on 31^st October, 2025; and

The Report of the Committee on Transport, Works and Supply on the Ratification of the North-South Corridor Memorandum of Understanding, to be considered on 6^th November, 2025.

Private Members’ Motions

The following Private Member’s Motions will to be considered:

Mr A. Mumba, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Create a National Miner’s Day” on 29^th October, 2025.

Mr B. Mpundu, MP, will move a Motion entitled, “Restrict the Mining of Gold, Sugilite and Emeralds to the State”, on the 29^th October, 2025

Questions

Hon. Ministers will respond to forty-five Questions for Oral and Written Answer. The questions are contained in Appendix I of this Statement, which will be circulated to all hon. Members. Further, the details of the questions are contained in the Notice of Questions for Friday, 12^th September, 2025, which has already been circulated to all hon. Members.

Hon. Ministers will also respond to Urgent Questions under Order No. 82 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2024, if there will be any.

Questions on Standby

The Questions on Standby to replace Questions that may not be placed on the Order Paper on the designated day due to unforeseen circumstances are contained in Appendix II, which will be circulated to all hon. Members.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

_______

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR MUTALE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHITAMBO, ON HER HONOUR THE VICE-PRESIDENT, DR. NALUMANGO, ON THE BAD STATE OF THE STRETCH FROM SERENJE TO LAVUSHIMANDA, ON THE GREAT NORTH ROAD

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is supposed to be directed at the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. Now that he is not in the House, I will direct it at Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, the stretch from Serenje to Lavushimanda on the Great North Road is in a bad state. Accidents happen every hour, and the situation becomes worse at night. We keep losing lives on that stretch.

Madam Speaker, this is an urgent matter today because the rains have hit the ground. You may be aware that once it rains, drivers do not see the potholes as they drive.

Madam Speaker, we therefore, request the Government to urgently put in measures to avert the accidents that occur on that stretch every day.

Madam Speaker, I need your serious intervention.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo, thank you very much for that issue that you have raised. I know that the issue of roads is a big one. Before business was suspended, the House heard about the Livingstone/Kazungula Road, the Mongu Road in the Western Province and the Tateyoyo/Katunda Road. All those roads need to be worked on. I also understand that you have filed a question that is being processed. So, maybe, we can wait for your question to be processed. Then the hon. Minister will address that issue. There is no need to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice when you have already submitted a question on the same subject. On a lighter note, that is what is called, “Eating with two hands”.

MR MUTINTA, HON. MEMBER FOR ITEZHI-TEZHI, ON MR MWIIMBU, SC., THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Mutinta: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice. My matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, who is not here. So, I will direct the matter at Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) commenced mass voter registration on 13^th October. The commission has a very ambitious target of registering about 3.5 million new voters across the country. We, as hon. Members, have just returned from our constituencies. Alas, we have observed that sensitisation regarding voter registration is not adequate, particularly in the Southern Province. Sensitisation of the public is below par. Actually, there is no sensitisation. I undertook my own analysis in Itezhi-Tezhi. In the last two days, at Uphill Primary School, which is in the central business district, only two people registered. As if that is not enough, there are reports that machines being used in the exercise are heating up and breaking down. That is the picture in the entire Southern Province. I am wondering whether there is something behind this situation. All in all, I want to understand what exactly is transpiring so that together we ensure that our people exercise their rights in 2026 during the election.

Madam Speaker, I strongly seek your guidance on this important issue.

Mr Tayali: Come and get your adoption certificate!

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Itezhi-Tezhi, for raising that concern and bringing that matter to the House. I know that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has embarked on voter registration.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: From the murmurs in the House, I can see that there are challenges concerning that process and how it is proceeding. I recall that even the President mentioned that some kits were breaking down. I think, it is a countrywide problem. These are the issues that need to be brought to the House so that the House and the public can be informed. Successful implementation of a programme can only be achieved through sensitisation. So, since the ECZ falls under the authority of Her Honour the Vice-President, maybe, can she come to the House on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday to update the House on that issue?

The Vice-President: On Thursday.

Madam Speaker: Thursday.

Her Honour the Vice-President will come to the House to render a statement on how the voter registration process is proceeding so that people are encouraged to go and register as voters.

The last Urgent Matter without Notice will be from the hon. Member for Kasenengwa.

MR TWASA, HON. MEMBER FOR KASENENGWA, ON MR MTOLO, HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, ON THE FOOD SITUATION IN KASENENGWA CONSTITUENCY

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity you have given me to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice, on behalf of the people of Kasenengwa.

Madam Speaker, I arrived this morning around 4 O’clock from my constituency.

Hon. Member: From Mozambique, naiwe!

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, it was not from Mozambique. It was from Kasenengwa Constituency.

Madam Speaker, we have a serious challenge in my constituency. This matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I do not know where the problem is. Maybe, the hon. Minister of Agriculture can explore means of resolving the problem. Wherever I went, in almost all the wards, people in Kasenengwa were already eating what they call sopano. When I enquired what it was, they gave it to me to eat. It is a porridge made from gaga, or maize bran. The reason they gave for eating that porridge is that they do not have maize, and this is just in October. I wondered why.

Interruptions

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I went to Ngongwe and Mboza wards. Hon. Colleagues may downplay the issue, but we do not know the impact it is having on the Government.

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Mr Twasa: Take this matter very seriously.

Madam Speaker, this matter is directed at the hon. Minister of Agriculture. As I said, I do not know where the problem is. Maybe, the hon. Minister of Agriculture may wish to find out why people in Kasenengwa are already eating what they call sopano in October, despite having a bumper harvest.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Twasa: They add what they call a sweetener to the porridge for it to taste better. I tasted it twice.

Madam Speaker, this matter needs serious consideration because it is urgent.

I seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

When the hon. Member for Kasenengwa stood up to talk about maize and the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), I thought he would talk about the non-payment of farmers, which, I think, is a more important matter. However, he has talked about sopano. Where does sopano come from? Is it not supposed to come from maize?

Hon. Members: Yes!

Madam Speaker: Gaga is supposed to come from maize. Where are the people taking the actual maize that they are supposed to eat?

Mr Twasa rose.

Madam Speaker: I am not asking you a question. I am just asking rhetorical questions; they do not need answers. I am surprised. If people have gaga, where are they taking the maize which they are supposed to eat?

So, please, hon. Member for Kasenengwa, bring factual statements to the House. I understand that if people are eating gaga instead of maize, that is not good for anyone. However, the issues should be factual. There is a lot of maize and mealie meal on the market. People are not even buying mealie meal. I am speaking from experience; I am a miller. Mealie meal is available, but people are not buying it because they have their own.

So, that matter is not admitted.

We make progress.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

STATUS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ON THE SINO METALS POLLUTION INCIDENT

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Mr Mposha): Madam Speaker, I wish to thank you for this opportunity to render a Ministerial Statement, which is meant to update this august House on the Kafue River pollution incident involving Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, as well as the progress made in the comprehensive environmental assessment being undertaken by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).

Madam Speaker, during my last update on 10^th July, 2025, I informed this august House that ZEMA had issued a public call for expression of interest to engage competent and qualified experts to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the incident. The assessment is also aimed at determining the extent of the pollution and recommending remediation and restoration measures. Following this call, a total of fourteen firms submitted their expression of interest. A Multidisciplinary Evaluation Committee was subsequently constituted to evaluate the submissions in accordance with the Public Procurement Act. After a transparent and competitive process, Applied Science and Technology Associates was awarded the K29 million contract to undertake the comprehensive assessment and make recommendations to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).

Madam Speaker, I wish to emphasise that the full costs of this assessment, including any subsequent remediation activities, are being borne by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited in line with the polluter pays principle provided for under the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011.

Madam Speaker, on 22^nd September, 2025, the consultant mobilised himself, marking the commencement of the two-and-a-half-month assessment period. The scope of this assessment covers three major components as follows:

the biophysical assessment covering the land, water resources, air, flora, fauna and ecosystems before, during and after the pollution;

the socio-economic assessment covering the impact on communities and their livelihoods, health, infrastructure and culture; and

the identification of mitigation, remediation and restoration actions.

Madam Speaker, since mobilisation, the consultant has undertaken several critical activities, including the following:

sampling and analysing tailings material to determine its physical

and chemical properties; –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The hon. Minister is rendering a Ministerial Statement and I expect the other hon. Ministers to listen and render him support.

May the hon. Minister continue.

Mr Mposha: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, since mobilisation, the consultant has undertaken several critical activities, including:

sampling and analysing tailings material to determine its physical and chemical properties;

sampling surface water and sediment sampling of the affected surface water bodies. These are the Chambeshi Stream, the Mwambashi River andits tributaries and the Kafue River;

holding consultative meetings with civil society organisations that are active in environmental and governance issues;

carrying out radioactivity assessments around TD-15 by the Radiation Protection Authority;

sampling soil around TD-15;

carrying out a socio-economic assessment of the affected communities;

conducting ecological assessment of the affected surface water bodies; and

conducting agronomy assessment of the affected farms.

Madam Speaker, on 12^th October, 2025, the consultant submitted a preliminary assessment report, which is the first substantive deliverable under the contract. The report highlighted the need for urgent interventions to expedite clean-up and restoration works and to prevent secondary pollution in view of the impending rainy season. Consequently, on 17^th October, 2025, my ministry, through ZEMA, directed Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited to undertake the following immediate actions and provide a progress report by 14^th November, 2025:

construct a catch drain downstream of TD-15 to collect runoff rainwater from TD-15 and other contaminated sites to prevent secondary pollution of the water bodies;

construct a minimum of four silt traps between TD-15 and TD-6 to trap tailings that are likely to be washed from upland and runoff rainwater and prevent deposition of silt into the nearby wetland;

stabilise TD-15 before the onset of the rainy season and set up real-time monitoring;

plant trees at strategic points to prevent soil erosion;

undertake liming of fields affected by tailings discharge along the Chambeshi Stream, the Mwambashi River and the Kafue River to raise the pH of the soil; and

dislodge the Chambeshi Stream, which has been found to have thick deposits of lime sludge.

Madam Speaker, although these directives were issued on 17^thOctober,2025, the implementation has already commenced on the ground. The current status of the works is as follows:

Construction of Catch Drains and Silt Traps

Madam Speaker, preliminary dredging and re-engineering of the canals have been completed. The next step is the actual placement and installation of the traps, which is scheduled for completion by 30^th October, 2025.These interventions are aimed at improving stormwater management and reducing the risk of contaminated runoff entering nearby water bodies.

Stabilisation of Tailings Dam TD-15

Madam Speaker, stabilisation works on TD-15 are progressing steadily with over 80 per cent of the work completed. The works are intended to reinforce the structural integrity of the dam and prevent further leakage or collapse risk. Full completion is targeted for 30^th October, 2025.

Desludging of Chambeshi Stream

Madam Speaker, identification of sites requiring desludging has been completed. The Desludging exercise for the Chambeshi Stream was scheduled to commence on 22^nd October, 2025. I want to confirm that this activity has since commenced. This activity will focus on removing deposited sediments and contaminated sludge to restore normal water flow and improve water quality downstream.

Liming of Affected Fields

Madam Speaker, this activity was scheduled to commence on 27^th October, 2025. Again, I wish to confirm that this activity commenced yesterday. However, my ministry has received disturbing information indicating that some community members around Kalusale Stream have expressed interest in starting land preparation works in readiness for cultivation.

Madam Speaker, let me express, in the strongest terms, the Government's dismay and concern over this development. It must be noted that the affected areas remain environmentally unstable, with residual contaminants may pose serious health risks to both humans and livestock. Any premature disturbance of the soil may also reverse the ongoing restoration efforts. I, therefore, wish to strongly urge all community members to refrain from entering, cultivating or carrying out any activities in the restricted zones until ZEMA has completed the necessary verification and formally confirms that the land is safe for agricultural use once again.

Madam Speaker, in addition to the assessment that is underway, the Government, through the multi-agency hotspot mapping exercise, has been independently monitoring water quality across Copperbelt Province. I am pleased to inform the House that the latest sampling data for September 2025 from twenty-one sites indicates that the concentrations of heavy metals, including cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese and zinc, are within the safe limits set by the Zambia Bureau of Standards ZS 1182/2021, for ambient water quality. That is an indication that our water bodies are on a firm path to recovery.

Madam Speaker, let me end my statement by assuring your hon. Members and the nation at large, that my ministry, and the entire United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Government, remain unwavering in the commitment to transparency, environmental accountability and the protection of public health. I, therefore, urge all stakeholders, including the media, civil society and the general public, to continue engaging us based on verifiable facts and substantiated reports. Together, we can ensure that our environment is fully restored, our people are protected and that such an incident does not happen again.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the Ministerial Statement presented by the hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the update.

Madam Speaker, whilst the update sounds encouraging, our people are a bit more concerned. Currently, the residents of Kalulushi are suing Sino-Metals Leach Zambia for US$220 million. Further, Drizit Zambia Limited, a company which was hired to conduct a clean-up exercise in terms of consultancy services, is also suing the company and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). At the same time, just two or three days ago, Sino-Metals Leach Zambia filed to sue Drizit Zambia Limited for US$8.6 million. The hon. Minister has said that we are on the path to our water being clean. What message does he have for our people? I believe that it is about money for the companies I have mentioned, but what message does the hon. Minister have for our people whose health is at risk?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, as indicated in the statement, the Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the health of our people is protected. To that effect, the ministry has scaled up sampling for water quality to ensure that the water that is being supplied to our people in the Copperbelt Province is of an acceptable standard and that treatment is upscaled so that people continue to receive acceptable quality water.

Madam Speaker, ZEMA gave directives in the restoration order to Sino Metals Leach Zambia to ensure that the areas that do not have reticulated water systems are supplied with water using water bowsers, and that exercise has continued. All that is being done to ensure that the lives and health of our people are not compromised.

Madam Speaker, as regards court actions, yes, there are court disputes, which I will not get into, suffice it to say, they have not affected our response in ensuring that we deal with the problem. That is why in my update, I stated that ZEMA, working with various stakeholders, invoked Section 107 of the Environmental Management Act to ensure that we took over the process, and that is the process that is ongoing. We are hopeful that we will deal with the problem, and ensure remediation and restoration.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr A. Banda (Chimwemwe): Madam Speaker, we appreciate the fact that the ministry has finally found a consultant who will produce the report. However, the ministry has taken too long from the time the pollution incident occurred. We know that the water utility companies have facilities used for checking the purity of water. The biggest issue is that most of the people who live along that stream depend on boreholes or wells. Neither ZEMA nor the ministry have sent any person to check whether the pollution has seeped into our drinking water sources. That is the biggest concern for the people of Chimwemwe. Does the ministry have any intention to send a team to comb through the whole area to ensure that the water that we are consuming from boreholes and wells is truly free from any heavy metals?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I am not sure whether Chimwemwe Constituency or parts of it are within the area that was contaminated for the boreholes in the constituency to be affected. However, I would like to assure the hon. Member that all the areas that were affected have been mapped. From time to time, inspectors, working together with experts from the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA), the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and other line ministries, go on the ground to check and ensure that the water that is consumed from various sources is safe.

Madam Speaker, I would like to emphasise that the ministry has directed the Nkana Water and Sanitation Company to work with Sino Metals Leach Zambia to ensure that water is supplied using water bowsers to the areas that were affected by the pollution incident, and whose people depend on wells and boreholes. That might not involve boreholes in Chimwemwe if the constituency is not in the catchment area where pollution occurred. If it is, I can assure the House that people are going around checking. Those who are not connected to the water supply system are receiving water through water bowsers.

Madam Speaker, I have received additional information to the effect that Chimwemwe Constituency is one of the areas where samples have been collected to test the water. Should there be any areas in the constituency that were affected by the pollution incident, where the hon. Member thinks or has heard that inspectors have not reached, he should alert the ministry so that people can be sent there, and the ministry can expand the scope of coverage and collect samples. I think our desire is to work with all hon. Members from Copperbelt Province, particularly from the constituencies that are within the area that was affected by the accident, to collect as much information as possible, which is meant to help us respond and ensure that our people are not exposed to any contaminants.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, before I pose a question to the hon. Minister, allow me to acknowledge and place it on record that today, 28^th October, we commemorate the eleventh anniversary of one of the gallant sons of this country, the Fifth Republican President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has given us an update on the Kafue River pollution incident involving Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited. However, I would like to take him back to the point where the American Embassy raised an alarm, which then culminated into several contradictory statements and allegations. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which is an important institution under his ministry, was singled out for being complacent and corrupt.

Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm to the nation, through this august House, whether the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at ZEMA fled the country only to resign elsewhere for the same reasons and allegations that were levelled against that institution?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I speak for the Government of Zambia regarding environmental issues and issues pertaining to the ministry. So, obviously, I would not want to be dragged into issues that were raised by other people, but if they are directed to my ministry, I will be able to respond.

Madam Speaker, regarding the allegation that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) ran away and resigned from elsewhere, again, it would be unethical to drag the Minister into speculations. When I stand here, I give information that is factual and not to be dragged into such speculations. I want to end there.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I raise this point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 71. Is the hon. Minister in order to brush aside a very serious question, which I posed to him, related to his ministry?

Madam Speaker, ZEMA, a very important institution, is under his ministry. Can he confirm whether it was a rumour or true that the CEO of ZEMA resigned after fleeing the country. If it is not true, let him confirm.

Madam Speaker, I seek your guidance.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

From what the hon. Minister said – maybe, we can allow him to explain so that I do not bring myself into the debate.

Hon. Minister, a point of order has been raised. The hon. Member wants to know whether the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) did not resign and flee the country, if you are aware.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I will repeat. I will be very reluctant to speculate whether or not someone ran away. What I present here is the official position. So, I would ask, again, that the hon. Member does not drag me into speculation, but I will place it on record that yes, the Director-General of ZEMA resigned.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

The fact that it has been acknowledged that the CEO resigned is sufficient because we cannot debate him here. He is not part of this House. Earlier on, I wanted to mention that discussing a foreign nation, as it was stated, is against our rules. We cannot debate other countries. So, hon. Members, let us be compliant with our Standing Orders.

The next person to ask a question is the hon. Member for Chipili.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Member for Bwacha was on the Floor. You may continue.

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to ask a question. I also want to thank the hon. Minister for the update he provided this afternoon through his Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, does the Government, through his ministry, have an idea of how much Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited will spend on undertaking the clean-up activities in all the affected areas?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Member of Parliament for Bwacha, Hon. Mushanga, for that question.

Madam Speaker, at this stage, it will be too early and premature to establish the costs that will be involved in the clean-up, remediation and restoration exercise. However, at an opportune time, I will come to the House to announce the costs that will be involved.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the update.

Madam Speaker, in his statement, the hon. Minister stated very clearly what is happening regarding the pollution of the Kafue River. However, I am concerned about one part that he did not mention. It concerns the people along that river who have already consumed the contaminated water. I would like to know if they are safe or if they have already been examined at the hospital. Can the hon. Minister confirm what the ministry has done for those who have already consumed the contaminated water before it starts clearing the pollution.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, like I said earlier, should there be any hon. Member of Parliament who has information about anyone or people who have been affected, I think, it would be appropriate that the information is brought to our attention so that those people can be helped.

Madam Speaker, when that accident happened on 18^th February, 2025, we sent awareness messages to various communities to alert them to not come into contact with the water that had been contaminated at that time. We also informed them that water would be supplied to the communities using water browsers, and that is what has been happening since that time. So, if there are people who are reported to have consumed the contaminated water, please, we should be alerted. However, as a ministry and the Government, we have not received any information that there are people who have consumed the contaminated water.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chipili, are you aware of anyone who has been harmed by the contaminated water?

Ms Mulenga: Yes.

Mr Chala: Madam Speaker, when the contamination happened, people were not aware of it, so they continued drinking the water. So, my concern or question is that before the Government moves in, what measures have been taken to help those people who were drinking that water? Have those people been taken to the hospital to establish their health status? That is my concern.

Madam Speaker: Okay.

Hon. Member for Chipili, I was only asking because you can only help if you know the person or people who have been affected by the contaminated water. So, if you are aware of anyone, please, advise the person to see the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment for any assistance. This is because for now, there is no such information. We do not know of anyone who has been affected negatively by the contaminated water.

Ms Mulenga (Kalulushi): Madam Speaker, I just want to join other hon. Members of Parliament who have acknowledged that on 28^th October, we, as the Patriotic Front (PF), remember a gallant son of the soil, the Fifth Republican President, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. Our hope is that he continues to rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Kalusale, who are in my constituency, I would like to say that even though the hon. Minister has presented a report on water contamination, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is a thorn in the flesh of the people of Kalulushi in terms of pollution. First and foremost, the agency is not visible in the constituency and this has caused a lot of harm.

Madam Speaker, I just want to answer the question on behalf of the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalulushi, just ask your question or point of clarification. Do not discuss other people’s questions or debates. Please, ask your question.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, inasmuch as I appreciate that the ministry is doing an assessment, many things are happening on the ground that the hon. Minister is not aware of. For example, the people of Kalusale have been held hostage. As I speak, there is a huge presence of police officers and they are not allowing people to leave the area. I do not know whether people are prohibited from leaving the area. Secondly, the people of Kalusale were assured that they would be given farmland. We are in the farming season, but they have not been given the farmland on which to farm.

Madam Speaker, as the Government is doing the assessment, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited is not producing. This is also a worrisome issue because miners might be laid off sooner or later, as there is no production. Further, there is the issue of court cases. Can the hon. Minister give a clear roadmap for the people of Kalusale because they are the most affected? Why are they heavily guarded by the Zambia Police Service? They are not allowed to leave Kalusale. If they are to leave Kalusale, they have to be allowed by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited.

Madam Speaker, we have many issues in Kalusale as regards access to food. People have to get food from Chambishi, but they are not able to do that. They are also not able to farm. As the hon. Member of Parliament for the area, I can assure you that the compensation that the people were given is completely finished. Pollution is still taking place in Kalusale and Kalulushi at large, even as I stand here.

Madam Speaker, what is the roadmap, especially with ZEMA? In our constituency, ZEMA is a huge problem. It is not doing its job. Today, when you go to Kalulushi and Kalusale around 1600 hours, you cannot even visibly see what is happening.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, do not debate. Just ask your question. Do not debate your question. I am sure that you have already asked your question.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, really, it has been difficult to pick the exact question from the chairlady or the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalulushi.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear.

Laughter

Mr Mposha: Sorry.

Ms Mulenga: I am the chairlady.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, it has been difficult.

Madam Speaker, firstly, let me, with your permission, go back to the question by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili. Earlier, he said that when the accident happened, people continued consuming water without knowing about the contamination. I want to just correct that picture. It is not true that water was being supplied when the accident happened. When the accident happened and a report was made, before the pollution got to the water supply facility, the commercial water utility shut down the facility. So, no water was supplied. There was a shutdown, so it was not possible to supply contaminated water to people.

Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the issues that the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalulushi raised. Mining entities have regulations. Therefore, if there are people who are living near mining activities, there are regulations on how people must move. The restrictions on movements are only for the people who are squatting within the mining area. This is meant to ensure that they do not affect the work that is on-going.

Madam Speaker, there is an assessment that is being done right now. If we allow people to move around, the assessment will be affected and people will tamper with the evidence of what has happened on the ground. It is only right that the place which is being assessed, the place which was affected by the pollution, is combed. We are controlling movements so that people do not interfere with the evidence that is being collected. I can only urge the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalulushi to co-operate with the investigation that is going on, if I may put it that way. The assessment is meant to investigate and get all the necessary information so that we can all know the extent of the pollution. Please, let us work together to ensure that the people who live in the affected area co-operate with the people carrying out the assessment.

Madam Speaker, going forward, all of us, including the hon. Members of Parliament who are in the constituencies where there are mining activities, should work together to avoid people squatting in mining areas because it is not safe for them to do that. So, it is not true that the people are being held hostage. However, if it is true, let the hon. Member of Parliament put it in writing to the Government through my ministry so that we can make follow-ups.

Madam Speaker, as regards ZEMA, yes, we may have challenges, but we are working on ensuring that the visibility of the agency is enhanced. I am happy that in the proposed Budget for 2026, there has been an increase in the allocation to the environmental management area. Further, we hope to improve the working tools for ZEMA so that we improve and increase visibility in the affected areas, including Kalulushi.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Chibombwe (Bahati): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the Ministerial Statement.

Madam Speaker, about 50 million litres of highly toxic waste was released into the Kafue River when a dam collapsed. According to certain media reports, the toxins contained heavy radioactive materials, such as uranium. I just wish that the hon. Minister had indicated in his Ministerial Statement the actual levels of potential of hydrogen (pH) that is in the various streams that are contaminated.

Madam Speaker, there are so many mines in Chingola and Kitwe. There are so many mines along the Kafue River that are releasing toxins into the Kafue River. What punitive measures is the ministry putting in place to ensure that all those who are contaminating our rivers are severely punished?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Bahati for the question.

Madam Speaker, the statistics that the hon. Member of Parliament has quoted are speculative because he has said that he got the figures from the media houses.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Mposha: However, to date, there has been no comprehensive assessment undertaken to confirm the figures. So, let us wait until the assessment is completed. The assessment will give us the actual situation regarding the accident. All of us in here can pick different figures, except the competent people, in this case, the company that has been contracted to conduct the assessment to give us a comprehensive report. From there, we will inform the country about the amounts of pollution that went into the environment and what should be done to correct the situation. Until such a time, I can only urge the hon. Member of Parliament to wait.

Madam Speaker, I want to confirm, just like I said in the statement, that from the time of the accident, we have continued sampling and checking the potential of Hydrogen (pH) levels in the water. Around February and March, the pH levels were very low, which means that there were abnormal because the water was acidic. Hon. Members may have seen us embark on aan exercise to lime the water bodies to ensure that the pH levels were brought to normal levels. As we speak, I can confirm to this august House and the country that the pH levels in the water bodies are normal as per the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) requirements.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Mulenga indicated to speak.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kalulushi, you have already asked one question. Are you asking me to practise positive discrimination because of gender or what? Anyway, since your area is the most affected. I will exercise my discretion and allow you to ask another question.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to confirm to the hon. Minister that Kalusale is not a mining area. In case he did not know, there is a Government-gazetted school in Kalusale. The people of Kalusale have been given a school by the Government and have been living in that area for a long time. So, the effect was because of the spill over into their area. So, it is Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited that abrogated the law and not the people of Kalusale.

Madam Speaker, I need the hon. Minister’s intervention. The situation is worrisome because the people of Kalusale have school-going children. I am sure, the hon. Minister is aware that this is examinations time. If the restrictions on the movement of the people of Kalusale is going to be handled by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, many children will not attend school because some of them need to travel to other schools to write their examinations. Apart from that, there is also the voter registration exercise underway. In case he did not know, the people of Kalusale have not been been given an opportunity to register as voters because of to the heavy presence of police officers. Further, trenches have been dug. Is that not an infringement on the rights of the people of Kalusale, especially, since they are Zambians, and also …

Madam Speaker: Order!

What is the question, hon. Member? You are debating.

Ms Mulenga: Madam Speaker, in case the hon. Minister does not know, Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSSC) closed the taps. The people of Kalusale do not have taps. They drink water from shallow wells and the boreholes that have been sunk for them. How then does the NWSSC come in and stop them from drinking water, especially that there is no piped water in that area? Is the hon. Minister sure that none of the residents of Kalusale consumed the contaminated water?

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I can only imagine that you are sympathising with me because instead of her asking a specific question, so many things have been crowded.

Madam Speaker, no one has given instructions that children of Kalusale must stop going to school or that they must be stopped. The trenches being talked about are meant for us to construct traps, which are very necessary. When it starts raining whilst we are undertaking the assessment before the clean-up, there could be potential for secondary contamination. So, we need to put measures in place to prevent that, and that is what has been prescribed by the consultant.

Madam Speaker, the trenches are not meant to inhibit or disturb people's movements. However, if the hon. Member of Parliament feels that the activities that are happening infringe on the rights of association and movement of the people and the children in Kalusale, she can write so that the ministry dealing with this issue can make a follow-up and then, take necessary steps.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member, further asked if I was not sure that the people of Kalusale did not drink contaminated water since they are not connected to reticulated water. She may wish to appreciate that I was responding to the question from the hon. Member of Parliament for Chipili, who said when the accident happened, Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSSC) was still pumping and supplying water, and that there was a likelihood that people consumed the contaminated water. I said that when the accident happened, the NWSSC had shut down before the pollution reached the intake.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member also mentioned the issue of the boreholes. Again, I responded that when this incident was reported, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), the Mine Safety Department (MSD) and different state security wings moved in to ensure that the place was combed, and people were alerted to not get into contact with the water and that they were also told to abandon their shallow wells. They were further informed that they were to be supplied with water through water bowsers. That same day, water was ferried to the areas. To date, water is being ferried to the affected people. So, I can say that I do not have any information about anyone having consumed contaminated water. However, I wish to appeal to the hon. Member of Parliament for Kalulushi that, as the people's representative for Kalulushi, she should feel free to visit my office and work with us in addressing the issues on the ground.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. That concludes the segment. We make progress.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

FORMER MINISTERS WHO HAD OVERSTAYED IN OFFICE AFTER THE DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT IN 2016

30. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Vice-President:

how many former Ministers, who had overstayed in office after the dissolution of Parliament in 2016, and were ordered by the Constitutional Court, to refund the money they earned, had paid back the money, as of July, 2025;

how many former Ministers had not paid back the money, as of the date above;

how much money, in total, was owed by the former Ministers at (b); and

what measures the Government is taking to recover the unpaid amount.

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform this august House that as of July 2025, fifty-nine former hon. Ministers who had overstayed in office and were ordered by the courts of law to refund the money they earned had paid it back in full.

Madam Speaker, four of the former hon. Ministers who were ordered to pay back the money had not yet paid, as if July 2025. The money that is still owed due to non-payment by the four former hon. Ministers amounts to K230,064.36. This matter has been referred to the Office of the Attorney-General for appropriate action.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the response.

Madam Speaker, who are those four former hon. Ministers who have not yet paid?

Madam Speaker: Kindly repeat your question, hon. Member for Katombola.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, who are the four former hon. Ministers who have not yet paid back the money with respect to the Constitutional Court judgement?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I believe that should be in the public domain. They are Hon. Chishimba Kambwili, Hon. Fackson Shamenda, Hon. Col. Panji Kaunda and Hon. Dawson Kafwaya.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Who was the last one?

Laughter

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, it is Hon. Dawson Kafwaya, not Mutotwe.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: That is why we asked, so that we are clear.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like to start by declaring an interest, in accordance with our procedure, as I was one of the fifty plus hon. Ministers –

Interruptions

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that indeed, when the ruling was made by the Constitutional Court, we were ably advised by the Attorney-General to comply. That is how it should be. Whether you are in the Government or not, you should comply with court orders.

Madam Speaker, why is it a problem for the Government to acknowledge court orders, and to comply with them like we did? In this House, we deferred a Bill which was found wanting by the Constitutional Court.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, he who comes to equity comes with clean hands. That is where we are.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu!

You are supposed to ask a supplementary question on the question that was filed by the hon. Member for Katombola. If you have an interest in the other issue regarding the Constitutional Court ruling, and non-observance of that ruling, you have a right to file in a question so that Her Honour the Vice-President is not taken by surprise, because that is a new question altogether. So, ask a question that is arising from the question that was filed by the hon. Member for Katombola.

You may proceed.

Mr Kampyongo: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, is the Government likely to draw an example from the previous Government, in obeying court orders when they are issued?

Madam Speaker: That is a speculative question. Maybe, I can give Her Honour the Vice-President the Floor to respond.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that question.

I think, the hon. Member is still trying to draw me into the previous question. With regard to court order, many issues arise, and compliance is one of them. If one does not comply, then, the party that is affected has the right to carry it further. That is the way the courts operate. If there is anything that the hon. Member thinks we are not complying with, and he is right, he is free to appeal further. This is a law-abiding Government, but he should remember that it also has responsibilities.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): I am grateful, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity you have given me to ask a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, I would like to know the measures that the Government has put in place to avoid what happened in the past where the former Head of State made a declaration without following what the Constitution stipulates.

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I do not understand what the hon. Member means when he says, “Declaration” because some issues require the President to make a declaration. However, if the declaration is unlawful, I think, that is a different matter. It is our belief that our President has been lawful and will be lawful. So, if he makes a declaration within the law, that is fine. A declaration that breaches the law is something else. We have no intention of making declarations that the hon. Member has referred to, if I understood him well. There is no intention to make declarations of unlawful issues like leaving hon. Ministers in office without changing the law. That is what we are looking at. The law provides for when Ministers should exit. If you want them to stay, look at the law. That is what you do. So, I hope that such a situation does not arise, and it has not arisen

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to ask Her Honour the Vice-President a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, I would like to convey greetings from the people of Roan Constituency to Her Honour the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, as the Constitutional Court passed the verdict for all the former hon. Ministers to pay back the money that they obtained when they stayed in office illegally, I would like to understand if there was a provision in the ruling for them to also pay interest, since the money was taken from the Treasury. So, including those who have not paid, will they pay interest on what they obtained?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I would be misleading people, because I cannot remember a particular provision in the ruling stating that the hon. Ministers should pay interest. As it were, currently, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is simply following up on the four, and that means those who paid complied with the ruling. If they had not, I think, we would have known. The ministry is only following up on the four who have not yet paid.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Katombola, do you have another question?

Dr Andeleki: No, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Okay, so the last one to ask a question will be the hon. Member for Luena.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, one of the possible ambiguities that led to hon. Ministers staying in office illegally supposedly arose from a lack of clarity in the Constitution. It only spoke about Parliament being dissolved, but did not specifically say that hon Ministers should vacate office. On behalf of the people of Luena, we note that in the current Constitution Amendment Bill, No. 7, on which your Government, through the Technical Committee, is consulting the people of Zambia, one of the objectives is to clearly state that hon. Ministers will vacate office ninety days before the general election. Is Her Honour the Vice-President in a position to confirm to the people of Zambia that supporting this amendment proposal will also ensure that the window or opportunity for people to abuse state resources, as it happened in the past, will be sealed and so sealed permanently?

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. Member for that very clear way of asking this kind of question. Let me use this opportunity to call on the people of Zambia to make submissions to the Constitution, …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: … so that hon. Members can pick some points that will bring clarity to the Constitution, like the hon. Member mentioned. It is clearly indicated in the proposed Amendment Bill that hon. Ministers will vacate the office ninety days before elections, but it also states how long Parliament will remain active, because the difference is very important. In the current law, the dissolution of Parliament is ninety days before the general election, and we know that hon. Ministers are appointed from Parliament. So, there was no base or footing for those hon. Ministers. I think that is the interpretation.

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

The Vice-President: Yes, Sir!

Madam Speaker, in the proposed Bill, which I urge all hon. Members to read through, Parliament dissolves a day before elections, if I have read through properly. This demonstrates how unselfish the President is. If at all, the proposed Bill No.7 passes, hon. Ministers will vacate office ninety days before the election date. For me, this is something to think about. This is the way it is. So, let people read through the draft amendment so that when it passes here, there will be no lacunae that we will, again, start arguing about. The issue of hon. Ministers remaining in office has been clearly addressed. I thank the hon. Member for bringing that issue on board.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

The next question is from the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Kanchibiya appears not to be present and no prior arrangements have been made. Therefore, the Question lapses, in accordance with our Standing Orders.

RECORD OF MINE ACCIDENTS COUNTRWIDE FOR THE PERIOD 2022 TO 2024

32. Mr J. Chibuye (Roan) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

how many mine accidents were recorded, countrywide, from 2022 to 2024, year by year;

how many casualties were recorded, arising from the accidents above;

what the major causes of the accidents were; and

what measures are being taken to address the recurrence of mine accidents.

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe): Madam Speaker, between 2022 and 2024 a total of 202 mining accidents were recorded, broken down as follows:

Year Type of Accident Number of Accidents

2022 Fatal 16

Serious 51

Third-party 6

2023 Fatal 19

Serious 43

Third-party 3

2024 Fatal 12

Serious 45

Third-party 7

Total 202

Madam Speaker, between 2022 and 2024, a total of 315 casualties from mining accidents were recorded, broken down as follows:

Year Type of Accident Number of Casualties

2022 Fatal 16

Serious 56

Third-party 14

2023 Fatal 22

Serious 50

Third-party 30

2024 Fatal 31

Serious 67

Third-party 29

Total 315

Madam Speaker, the major causes of mining accidents between 2022 and 2024 were as follows:

Year Accidents Major Causes of Accidents

2022 Fatal Moving machinery

Serious Moving machinery

Third-party Fall of ground

2023 Fatal Moving machinery

Serious Moving machinery

Third-party Floods of water and mud

2024 Fatal Fall of ground

Serious Moving of machinery

Third-party Fall of ground

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development under the Mines Safety Department, promotes occupational health and safety in the mining sector. This is done by ensuring that mining activities involving machinery, explosives and mineral exploitation are conducted in line with the Minerals Regulation Commission Act and its subsidiary legislation.

Additionally, the ministry undertakes periodic inspections, safety audits, risk assessments and awareness programmes to enforce compliance with safety, health and environment regulations while fostering sustainable mining practices that support investment, job creation and the well-being of the people of Zambia.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response and statistics that he has given to this House and the nation.

Madam Speaker, just a few weeks ago, the hon. Minister signed a Statutory Instrument (SI) on local content. On top of that, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government is envisaging to increase copper production from the current 800,000 metric tonnes to 3 million metric tonnes by 2030. This means that there will be a lot of mining activities, and will likely increase. Looking at the hon. Minister’s statistics in terms of fatal accidents, I see that they were fluctuating. For example, in 2022, there were sixteen accidents, and in 2023, the number of accidents increased to nineteen. In 2024, the number of accidents reduced to twelve. With the vision that the New Dawn Government has of increasing copper production and opening more mining companies, what is the ministry doing to ensure that we improve on the record of accidents and fatalities?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that very important question.

Madam Speaker, being the visionary leader that he is, in 2021, just after taking power, President HH (Hakainde Hichilema) declared that we would achieve 3 million metric tonnes of copper production. We are actually on course to achieve that. This year, we expect to hit the psychological 1 million metric tonnes copper production barrier.

Mr Muchima: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: That will lead us to our target.

Madam Speaker, indeed, we noticed that at that particular time, the mining sector or the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development could not attain the target of copper production set by the visionary leader, President HH (Hakainde Hichilema). That is why we brought legislation called the Minerals Regulation Commission Bill. This Parliament supported that Bill and it is now an Act of Parliament. We realised that at that time, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development could not effectively supervise the mining sector, and that is why we needed to create a regulator. The regulator is now in place. Commencement orders have been assigned already and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been appointed. Therefore, we are moving to actualise the Minerals Regulation Commission, and it will be dotted across the country. The Mines Safety Department (MSD) was situated in Kitwe and it had very few bureaus dotted across the country. Therefore, we could not regulate and check properly how mining activities were taking place. However, that was taken care of when we looked at the vision to achieve 3 million metric tonnes of copper production.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, the number of people dying from mining activities is quite concerning. The hon. Minister and I know that the prerequisite to any mining activity is ensuring that safety regulations are in place. The reports of deaths from mining activities are an indication that there is failure to ensure that safety regulations are properly followed.

Madam Speaker, I am worried about the accuracy of the figures that have been presented in the response by the hon. Minister. For example, the ground fell in Chingola and a number of young people were buried alive. What is not very clear is how many were buried and how many so far have been retrieved. The same applies to Nkana; when a tailings dam collapsed, quite a number of people were reported to have been buried. The number of people who were retrieved is a speculative issue. Can the hon. Minister take this opportunity to inform the nation regarding the exact number of young people who were buried in Chingola and Kitwe when the ground collapsed during mining activities. How many were dug out? How many are still buried?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the question.

Madam Speaker, the figures that we have given still stand. If we are to go into specifics, it means that a different question specifically on what happened in Chingola should come. The figures that we have given here are consolidated from the reports. As the hon. Member rightly said, all the figures that are not here are for speculative purposes. People can speculate.

Madam Speaker, what we have presented is the official position. The figure includes all the accidents that happened in the country. If we are to go into specifics, a question should come and then we will be more than ready to state the position of the Government.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, what is the point of order?

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, my point of order is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71. The question asked how many accidents we had countrywide. When the hon. Minister is coming up with a response to the House, he is given specific figures relating to specific mining accidents and where they occurred. I asked a simple question: How many people died in Chingola and Kitwe? I do not think that question needs an extra question at another time. I think that the hon. Minister has those figures because the figures he was given clearly indicate which mining site had an accident and how many people died in that accident.

Madam Speaker, I do not think I am asking for too much. On behalf of the people of Zambia, I am asking how many people died in Chingola. How many people were reported to have been buried in Chingola and how many have been retrieved? The same applies to Kitwe. I do not think that is too much to ask.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, thank you very much. When you look at Question No. 32, you will see that the hon. Member for Roan asked about how many mine accidents were recorded countrywide from 2022 to 2024, year by year. So, the question is asking for consolidated numbers, year by year, not accident by accident or mine by mine. So, it will be very difficult for the hon. Minister to give the specific answer that you require at the moment. As the hon. Minister has stated, please, if you want the answer to that question, file in a question and it will be processed. Then, the hon. Minister will be requested to address it.

Let us make progress, the hon. Member for Roan may ask his question.

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response.

Madam Speaker, I will still refer the hon. Minister back to the increased number of mines that have been re-opened. I want to place it on record, through the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, that I sincerely thank His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for re-opening Shaft No. 28 for the people of Roan Constituency.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye: The shaft is now called New Luanshya Mine.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye: I also want to put it on record that recently, the provincial hon. Minister toured the mine.

Madam Speaker, if I may be a little personal, or if I may declare interest, that is a mine that was closed twenty-three years ago. It was flooded; it is an underground mine. It is 1,200 m deep. As the hon. Member of Parliament for Roan Constituency, I am worried about accidents when production starts. How much help is the ministry going to give so that once production starts at Shaft No. 28, we will not face any challenges in terms of accidents or fatalities that would disturb or disrupt the mining activities? In short, how much engagement is the hon. Minister personally going to have with the mine in order to ensure that the new mine, which was closed twenty-three years ago, is safe? We do not know the situation underground. How much is the ministry going to invest in the Mine Safety Department to ensure that we do not record any fatalities in Luanshya during production?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very important question. I also thank him for acknowledging the fact that a mine that was forgotten twenty-three years ago is back to life. Twenty-three years ago, people thought that it would never come back to life, but because of the visionary leadership of one President HH (Hakainde Hichilema), we have revived it. As we speak, dewatering of the mine has reached about 85 per. You can now easily see the tunnels and the haulages of the old structure. So, it is really something that is exciting to us. However, we have not just neglected it like that. We do understand having a lot of water within itself, it means the grounds could have been affected in terms of weaknesses and all the infrastructure that is there. So, basically, just like we do with any other mines –

Madam Speaker, let me say something so that it becomes clear. A mining activity anywhere is just like the way life is. You cannot avoid accidents. We try as much as possible to make sure that the mine is operating safely, and that is why the Mine Safety Department is there. As a matter of fact, it is a requirement by law that each mine must have a Mine Safety Department, which is supposed to be supervised now by the regulator that we have put in place.

So, even as the mine is dewatering, the Mine Safety Department, now the regulator still checks what is happening in terms of safety adherence. Even when they begin to reconstruct the mine, the regulator will be checking to make sure that that thing does not become a source of sorrow instead of being a source of joy for the people of Luanshya and the mine workers.

So, really, we will be following through, as a ministry, to make sure that as much as we want production, it must be done in a safe environment so as to ensure the lives of our people protected. What does it profit us if we mine the copper and lose lives of people who are mining? So, really, this Government takes this matter very seriously. It is not only for Luanshya 28 Shaft Mine, but also other mines. We must mine sustainably, safely and legally. These are things and points that His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema has given time and again. He has said that there has to be safe mining, legal mining and formal trade, and that areas where mining activities are taking place must be secure. So, really, we are running with that mantra to make sure that our people are protected.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

PROCUREMENT OF BEDS AND OTHER FURNITURE FOR HEALTH FACILITIES IN ISOKA

33. Ms Nakaponda (Isoka) asked the Minister of Health:

whether the Government has any plans to procure beds and other furniture for the following health facilities in Isoka District:

Isoka District Hospital;

Chizongolo Rural Health Post;

Nazareth Rural Health Post;

Mulongo Rural Health Post;

Londamaka Rural Health Post;

Lualizi Rural Health Post Maternity Annex;

Nachisungu Rural Health Post Maternity Annex;

Mwaiseni Rural Health Post;

Prisons Rural Health Post;

Longwe Rural Health Post; and

Mpalakata Rural Health Post;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Health (Mr Muchima): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has plans to procure beds and furniture in the listed health facilities. This will be achieved through working hand in hand with the local authority.

On one hand, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has planned to procure beds for Level-I health facilities, including Isoka District Hospital. On the other hand, the local authority will procure beds and furniture using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the listed health facilities.

Madam Speaker, the plan will be implemented in the first quarter of 2026. As mentioned earlier, the Government has plans to procure beds and furniture. Therefore, part (c) of the question falls off.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Nakaponda: Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister give a specific timeline, stating exactly when the procurement process for the beds and furniture is expected to begin. In addition, what is the estimated completion date? The people of Isoka want to know the exact timeline.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Quality!

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I said that procurement will start in the first the quarter of 2026, without a specific date. Further, there is an agreement between the Council Secretary and the Ministry of Health to buy the equipment using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for rural health centres. Therefore, what will be required by the Ministry of Health to buy from its budget will be the equipment for the First-Level Hospital. So, this is an on-going process.

At the moment, we already have some machines such as an anesthetic machine, which has already been bought, an operating bed, theatre lights and monitoring machines. So, these are already acquired for the First Level Hospital just like we are doing for other hospitals. As for the clinics and health centers, the ministry is in agreement with the council that it will make some provisions using the CDF.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda: Madam Speaker, I would like ot thank the hon. Minister for the answers. However, I would like to know whether the procurement of beds and furniture will be done in phases or at once, and how the roll out will be prioritised.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, thank you for the follow-up –

Mr J. Chibuye: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Sorry, hon. Minister. Before you respond, there is an indication for a point of order by the hon. Member for Roan. What is the point of order, hon. Member?

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

I think, this is my second point of order from the time I came into this House.

Madam Speaker, I raise this point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 219. Is the hon. Member, my older brother, Hon. Mufalali, in order to come to this House with a very dangerous weapon disregarding Standing Order No. 219?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: The Nominated hon. Member of Parliament is in order. He sought permission to come to the House with the crutches because he has an injury. Somebody, somewhere through a kaliloze …

Laughter

Madam Speaker: … but he did seek permission to use it. He is not feeling well. I mentioned kaliloze on a lighter note.

Mr Muchima: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I must say that we are working in collaboration with my hon. Colleague in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. All clinics and rural health centers that were constructed using the CDF will be furnished using the CDF. The money your Government has provided through the CDF under the leadership of the His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema has been increased from K1.6 million to K40.1 million. That is a lot. It will be released in phases as we move with the projects because certain constituencies such as Liuwa have constructed about ten health centres.

Madam Speaker, in certain constituencies like Liuwa, about ten rural health centres have been built. So, you cannot expect us to provide those needs at once. As we move into 2026, we will progress phase by phase because of other demanding areas. However, Level I hospitals are the Government’s responsibility. The ministry will buy the requisites through the Zambia Medicines & Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), as the hospitals are completed. I know that ninety-six beds in general and twenty-two beds for maternity annexes are needed in Isoka. I will liaise with my hon. Colleague at the Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development regarding those needs. Whether we wait for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to release funds or the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is used, it is the Government’s money. Whichever comes first, the Government also has to balance the equation in terms of looking at the entire country. This Government is for every Zambian, not what was seen in the past, like questions of whether one had a haircut on one side. This time, it is holistic. Wherever there is a need in any corner of the country, every Zambian has to be served. When there is a need for equipment in Isoka, the Government will attend to it. Whenever a project is completed, we have to deal with it adequately.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMME FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS

34. Dr Andeleki (Katombola) asked the Minister of Defence:

whether the Government has any plans to re-introduce the national service programme for secondary school leavers countrywide;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

whether the programme will be compulsory; and

what the estimated annual cost of the programme is.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Mr Haimbe, SC.) (on behalf of the Minister of Defence (Mr Lufuma)): Madam Speaker, with the fiscal space permitting, the Government may consider re-introducing the national service programme for secondary school leavers. It is important to note, however, that despite the fiscal space limitation, the Government has introduced the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Voluntary Training Programme whose aim, amongst others, is to:

offer basic military training amongst the youth;

inculcate national values and principles, and

have a broader understanding of agriculture and many other skills.

Madam Speaker, in view of my response above, parts (b), (c) and (d) of the question fall off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Dr Andeleki: Madam Speaker, I have no follow-up questions.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, this topic is dear to me because my father used to work for the Zambia National Service (ZNS). I grew up in a ZNS camp. The design of the ZNS was to establish production sites. Despite the fears regarding limited fiscal space, does the Government not think that if the original idea for the establishment of the ZNS camps as production hubs is implemented, and people are recruited, as opposed to them volunteering, a lot of resources would be raised that would, ultimately, take care of the financial needs of the hubs? With all the opportunities available in agriculture, does the Government not think that the ZNS hubs would make their own money and finance their operations?

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Nkana appears to be asking for my opinion regarding the potential of the ZNS. I will answer the question from the perspective of what the ZNS is already achieving. The ZNS is a productive hub and contributes effectively to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. Whether or not the model that the hon. Member for Katombola asked about is sustainable, given the capital costs required to enrol secondary school leavers in the ZNS, is a question that requires more finesse in understanding the cost implications and cost-benefit analysis. Speaking from a principled point of view, I would agree with the hon. Member for Nkana that the ZNS has immense potential to contribute more to the country's GDP.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Charles Mulenga (Kwacha): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

Madam Speaker, the Zambia National Service (ZNS) programme was initiated by the first Republican President, the late Dr Kenneth Kaunda. It was well-intended to groom the youths, especially from the secondary school level, to adopt good moral standards as well as physical well-being. That can be attested by some of us who went through ZNS training in the early 80s in the way we conduct ourselves, …

Hon. Members: Question!

Mr Charles Mulenga: … speak and look after our wives in our homes.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Charles Mulenga: It is a well-intended programme. Madam Speaker, I would like the hon. Minister to be specific. He said that the programme may be re-introduced. How soon will that be? The programme is good. We just need a specific timeframe.

Mr Haimbe, SC.: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for that elaborate question.

Madam Speaker, indeed, the virtues of the ZNS programme, as introduced by our forefathers, cannot be overstated. The answer I gave on the Floor of this House as to the question of whether there is an intention is heavily dependent on the fiscal space. So, as we continue prudent fiscal management, certainly, the intentions will come closer to fruition. However, giving a specific timeline would be speculative at this time because we cannot tell at what point the fiscus can absorb the programme. Perhaps, we can exercise patience.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

ELECTRIFICATION OF FACILITIES IN MUCHINGA PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY

35. Mr E. Banda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Energy:

whether the Government has any plans to electrify the following facilities in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency:

Masase Primary School; and

Masase Rural Health Centre;

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1600 hours until 1700 hours.

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

The Minister of Energy (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, before business was suspended, I was about to respond to the question asked by the hon. Member for Muchinga.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to electrify Masase Primary School and Masase Rural Health Centre in Muchinga Parliamentary Constituency.

Madam Speaker, according to the updated and revised Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), the facilities mentioned above are scheduled to be electrified in 2026. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is scheduled to commence feasibility studies in November 2025, next month, for implementation in 2026.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Banda: Thank you so much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I am smiling because of the answers the hon. Minister has given. He has given us hope and it should not end there. It is good that he stated that feasibility studies will commence in November, which is just two days from now. If we do not see his people on the ground, I promise him that I will be knocking on his door every day until those people come. The people of Muchinga should now have everything right at their doorstep. I do not have much to say, but to thank the hon. Minister for the answers. He has tied himself. I am one person who does not forget. In this regard, I will be on him.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: It amounts to Government assurance. So, the hon. Member has every right to knock on the hon. Minister's door.

Mr Zulu indicated to speak.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nyimba, the owner of the question said he is satisfied with the responses. Should we keep on asking?

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, thank you so much. I just want the hon. Minister to clarify something. The new revised plan states that the facilities in Muchinga Constituency will be electrified next year because the feasibility study will be done this year. This makes me wonder. The hon. Minister is on record making an assurance to electrify St. Joseph Hospital, which is a very important health facility in this nation. The hon. Minister is seated closer to his predecessor who has all the answers and he can help him out. The hon. Minister seated next to him said that by December 2024, St Joseph Hospital would be electrified. That project has not started to date.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to assure the hon. Member for Muchinga, without first fulfilling what he assured the people of Nyimba?

Madam Speaker: Maybe, the hon. Minister can respond.

Mr Chikote: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I also thank the hon. Member for that question.

Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to appreciate the hon. Member for Muchinga Constituency. Indeed, I am working well with him, not only on this issue, but on a number of projects. He always visits my office and we exchange ideas. So, it is not just a mere promise.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Nyimba said that we have not fulfilled what we assured the people of Nyimba, in particular, St. Joseph Hospital. I am sure that the hon. Member knows that we are in discussions and are making efforts to ensure that the hospital he mentioned is also connected. He is aware. Just last week, we were in my office together discussing how to ensure that the hospital is connected. So, we are not just promising, but we are a committed Government.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: The hon. Member for Serenje also wants to make a contribution.

Mr Kandafula (Serenje): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Muchinga, I want to know if the hon. Minister has tried to check the archives. Just some 2 km from Masase Health Centre and the mentioned school, there is a project that was supposed to be electrified. Even the farming blocks which were supposed to come up were supposed to be electrified. This was quite a good project, and I think that it was funded by the World Bank. Has the hon. Minister checked that project to see whether there is still some money pending for it?

Madam Speaker: We are now expanding the question too much. We are on the issue of Masase Primary School.

Hon. Member: He is a manager at ZESCO Limited.

Madam Speaker: Somebody is saying that he is a manager at ZESCO Limited. Is it a manager at ZESCO Limited or former manager?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.

Hon. Minister of Energy, do you have anything to say?

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, indeed, I do not have much to say. The hon. Member, being a person who once worked at ZESCO Limited, can find time to come to my office so that we exchange ideas. He is a very good hon. Member of Parliament. He can find time to come to the office so that we make a follow-up on the project that he said was funded.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of darkness – oh, the hon. Minister of Energy …

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Abene ba nfifi!

Mr B. Mpundu: … is here, again, making promises to connect facilities that have not been connected to the electricity grid. He is assuring us that power will be supplied to new facilities. However, the assurances he has made in the past have not yielded results. For instance, the hon. Minister made us pay extra for power in the name of an emergency. Today, people are even getting power for fewer hours. In most areas today, power is supplied to people for only one hour. Is it okay for the hon. Minister to continue coming here to give promissory notes when he is failing to meet the other promises?

Hon. Minister of darkness, …

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr B. Mpundu: … honestly speaking, should we continue placing these promises on record and assuring people when we cannot meet the promises made earlier?

I seek your indulgence, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much. Before the hon. Minister answers, we have no portfolio called ministry of darkness. I do not know whom I will ask to answer that question because I do not know anyone from the ministry of darkness.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Can you state the proper portfolio, hon. Member for Nkana.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I will address him correctly as the hon. Minister of Energy, even though he is comfortable with that name, because he knows that he has been providing darkness to us.

He is the hon. Minister of Energy, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I want to appreciate you for educating the hon. Member to understand his proper role when he is in this august House.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikote: You really keep on struggling to help him meet the standard of being an hon. Member.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, this Government does not only promise; it is committed to delivering on the promises for the people of this country. The hon. Member is aware that we are in a crisis that was not created by this Administration.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Chikote: He knows that it is a natural thing.

Madam Speaker, this Government is committed to putting up alternative sources of energy, other than just hydro-power stations. Other Governments did not invest in alternative sources of energy.

Hon. UPND Members: The PF Government!

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, we are continuing to give hope to the people of this country because we are seeing what we are putting in place. A number of projects are running. We are very sure that next year, we will be okay as a country because we have enhanced our energy production mix. I have told the hon. Members who have expressed their concerns that next year, we will be able to connect the facilities in their areas to electricity, as we keep on investing in the energy sector.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

MINERAL DEPOSITS AND MINING COMPANIES OPERATING IN ZAMBIA

36. Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central) asked the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

what major mineral deposits are found in Zambia;

which minerals above are currently being mined;

how many mining companies were operating in Zambia, as of July, 2025;

what minerals the companies at (c) were mining;

whether the Government has any plans to nationalise all the mines in Zambia; and

if there are no such plans, why.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the major mineral deposits found in Zambia include, but are not limited to, copper, gold, manganese, coal, nickel, emeralds and amethysts.

Madam Speaker, the minerals being mined in Zambia include copper, gold, manganese, coal, nickel, emeralds and amethysts, among others.

Madam Speaker, as of July 2025, a total of 767 mining companies were operating in Zambia.

Madam Speaker, the mining companies in Zambia are engaged in mining a wide range of minerals, including copper, manganese, coal, nickel, emeralds, amethysts, gold, iron ore, coal, lime stone and various industrial and energy minerals.

Madam Speaker, the Government has no plans to nationalise the mines.

Madam Speaker, there are no such plans because the Government seeks to forge strategic partnerships with the private sector.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, what is the point of order?

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I am very interested in specifics when it comes to questions because the responses are placed on record. The question on the Floor is extremely important because of our past experience. When a question asks the hon. Minister to name the minerals that we have, I expect an exhaustive list to be presented to this august House. We have had a situation where people mined sugilite, but it was found that the mineral was not among the minerals that are gazetted. I thought that this was an opportunity for the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to highlight all the minerals.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development in order to list just a few minerals and then ride on “not limited to these”? I think that the question is asking him to list all the minerals so that those who are listening from outside the country, those who want to invest in this country, will know that there are rare earth metals here, like sugilite and many others.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, if you look at Question No. 36, you will see that the hon. Member for Kalabo Central asked the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development:

(a) what major mineral deposits are found in Zambia;

So, the word used is ‘major’. The question does not say ‘all’ minerals. That is why the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development said, “Include the following”. We are looking at the major minerals. That is the question. You can ask a question as we go along, but, first, let me ask the owner of the question to ask a follow-up question.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, you will forgive me.

Hon. Members: Forgive you for what?

Mr Miyutu: I know why I am saying so.

Interruptions

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I am asking for forgiveness because I could not find the word “major” in the question. From the elements on the periodic table, we have some major metals, but the way the hon. Minister has defined “major” is not in the context I wanted.

Madam Speaker, let me give an example. On the periodic table, where is the position of uranium? You cannot tell me that uranium is the least, no. So, I do not know. That is why I am asking for forgiveness because maybe, we were in two different worlds.

Mr B. Mpundu: Correct!

Mr Miyutu: So, let me proceed according to the formalities.

Madam Speaker, it is mentioned somewhere that people want to go and live in another form and that they will be walking on gold roads. So, other than earth, there is a spiritual belief that they will be treading on gold.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, really, my concern is the welfare of this country. I listened to the hon. Minister of Health ...

Mr Muchima: Question!

Mr Miyutu: … when he was responding to Hon. Nakaponda over the procurement of beds and beddings.

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Miyutu: They are questioning me, but it is okay. They can go ahead and question.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kalabo, let us have some order. Right now, we are dealing with Question No. 36, which you asked. So, let us ask supplementary questions relating to that question. If there is anything that arises from anything else, those are now outside this question. You can discuss outside, over a cup of tea.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, thank you for that guidance.

Madam Speaker: So, you may proceed.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, there are no plans to nationalise. I would want to find out from the hon. Minister which side would realise more benefits trickling down to the people up to Kalabo? Is it on the side and where because the state controls the whole process? They have the authority while the other side are on the side and are given small shares.

Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister which side has more benefits.

Mr B. Mpundu: Ebaume aba.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon Members!

Can we restrain ourselves.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the answer to the question is that the Government is not about to nationalise mines. We have defined ourselves as a private sector-driven economy.

Madam Speaker, what is critical in the mining space for people to see benefit is how we strike deals. That is what is important. What is important is the agreements we go into, that benefit both the investor and the Zambian people. We were elected to serve our people, and whatever agreements –

That is why we are resuscitating mines like Luanshya 28 Shaft Mine. The consequence is that people get jobs. One of the mandates of any Government is to create jobs for its people. We create jobs by making industries thrive. However, how do you get more benefits beyond the direct jobs? We do that by the way we strike the deals. So, this Government is not, and I underline that, it is not going to nationalise any mine.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Eng. Nzovu: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Sometimes, it is difficult.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I was wondering whether – The hon. Member for Kalabo Central is asking why are we not nationalising. I thought that would give you an opportunity, hon. Minister, to explain your policy on this issue; why you cannot nationalise and want to go in a particular manner.? It is a good opportunity to explain your Government’s policy. So, maybe, you can amplify the main reasons because I believe nationalisation is not a new issue. Is it? So, maybe, you can explain further.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, thank you.

Maybe, I will give a brief history on the part of nationalisation and how this economy sank because of nationalisation. During the time that the Zambian Government at the time decided to nationalise all the mines and made what was known as the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), the economy slid into doldrums. The mining companies became a source of income even for political parties because ZCCM then, was being used as a cash cow and there was no reinvestment that was taking place. That is why after the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successive Government which, the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) went into privatisation and decided to partner with the private sectors or partners to be able now to run these mines in a way that will be responsive not only to Governments, but also to private money that used to come in the mines.

Madam Speaker, at this particular time, what is crucial is that the Government is not going to nationalise our policy as the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, but to run a private sector-driven economy.

Madam Speaker, why do we want the private sector? Firstly, one of the key things about working with the private sector is efficiency. Secondly, private sector money has to come in because sometimes, the Government may not have enough resources to inject into any mine. That is why you want that private sector money to come. What is critical for us, as the UPND, is to strike deals that will benefit not only the private sector, but also to benefit the people of Zambia and the coffers of the nation. As such, our policy still remains that we should attract private investors in the mining sector, but striking deals that, for example, would be a Mopani arrangement, 49-51 per cent, which means we have almost equal shares in that kind of arrangement.

Madam Speaker, the Government wants to move away from having a mine in which the Zambian Government has 5 per cent shares or 10 per cent shares, for example. That is now changing under this Government, and the example has been shown with the Mopani deal. We want to attract private money to many companies.

Madam Speaker, let me go into expansion of why we do not want to nationalise, but use private money as part of deal-making, we are mapping Zambia right now. So, the Government is going to have data where there will be targeted mining or exploration. When we are striking deals now, we will not be taking a mining licence that has no information. We are going to have a mining licence full of information so that as we sit at the table to strike these deals, we are going to make sure that the shareholding is done in such a way that we do not disadvantage ourselves as it used to be in the past.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, we want to ensure that we strike deals such as the Mopani Copper Mines Plc one, for example, in which we have about 49 per cent to 51 per cent shareholding, which is basically half. So, we are bringing, for example, countrywide mining licences prospects to the table, which will be identified through the mapping exercise. That will be our capital. Then, private money that comes in can either be Zambian or foreign. When we say investment, we are not talking about foreign investment only. Even Zambians can form a consortium of miners that can invest in mining in Zambia. We are not stopping that. The private sector comes in because of issues of efficiency. We have learned lessons from the History of what the nationalisation of mines did and how that destroyed our economy in the past. Our policy is to engage private money, but that does not mean foreign money only. It means any private money, including hon. Members of Parliament, if they formed a mining company or consortium, who can partner and work out a deal with the Government. It does not stop them from doing that, and foreign direct investment (FDI) is also welcome. That is the policy.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I only hope the word “Deal” will not be misinterpreted because when you hear the word “Deal”, it has a negative connotation.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to ask a question. I am one of the admirers of how the Government has managed to transform the mines. Mines like Kalengwa Mine were dead for forty-six years, but today, we are able to see its revival. We can also look at what is happening also to the Luanshya Copper Mine Plc Shaft 28 project in Luanshya. However, major deposits for copper, gold and uranium, for instance, have not been mentioned. Some of these minerals leave the country in form of copper concentrates, yet there is no mining policy on gold and probably uranium. I want to know whether the Government has any intentions of coming up with a mining policy on gold and uranium.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important question. Currently, a document which will be presented to the Cabinet is being circulated in different ministries on how gold will be handled because of how gold mining has broken out in the country. Also, the fact that we now have a regulator in place, which we lacked in the past, will help us regulate the sector. The mining sector was all over the place. Now, we, as the Government, want to take charge, and that is why the regulator has been put in place.

Madam Speaker, the policy on uranium and other minerals is already in existence. However, we want to be specific about the policy on gold because of its occurrence in the form of alluvial gold and gold in ore. Alluvial gold is what is actually causing the gold rush because the gains are quicker. We are putting matters relating to that in place.

Mr Nkandu interjected.

Mr Kabuswe: Of course!

Madam Speaker, that is why we, as the Government, decided to undertake the mapping exercise even before the gold rush. Mapping will inform us about what the question on the Floor is asking. Currently, we have mapping information that was collected almost fifty years ago. We will have the latest data, such that if a question, like the good question that was asked by the hon. Member for Kalabo Central, is asked, we will give proper data that will tell us that even areas like Kalabo may have gold or copper. Those are probably areas that were forgotten, yet Zambia is endowed with many minerals. We are on top of things. That is why the regulator is in place. That is why we have undertaken the mapping exercise. We will understand what this country is sitting on and be able to move forward.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr B. Mpundu (Nkana): Madam Speaker, Hon. Miyutu has raised a very important question. I am glad that the hon. Minister has taken us through History, as it helps us to forge better fronts.

Madam Speaker, in 1969, partial nationalisation was implemented, and then, in 1973, full nationalisation was undertaken. The Government’s intention was to derive maximum benefits from our mining companies. Our economy was in boom in the ten years after 1973. It was superior to Ghana, South Korea and Kenya. That is what nationalisation did. However, over time, some people became unpatriotic. Currently, there is already what we can refer to, more or less, as partial nationalisation because of what is happening in Kasempa through the Zambia Gold Company Limited.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, do not debate. Just ask your question. You can start with preliminary points, but then, when you go into a debate, it is difficult. Ask your supplementary question.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, the Zambia Gold Company Limited in Kasempa is doing more or less what Hon. Miyutu has suggested. My substantive question is: Is it not right for the Government to identify specific minerals that it can either fully or partially mine?

Madam Speaker: Okay. I think, now, I see where you are coming from. There is –

Mr B. Mpundu was still upstanding.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, order!

Mr B. Mpundu resumed his seat.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nkana, you will move a Motion on the Floor of this House to discuss that issue. So, please, as you ask your question, do not go into your Motion. Just ask a supplementary question on Hon. Miyutu’s substantive question. Do not go in your Motion, which is pending presentation before the Floor of the House. I am sure you know that you have a Motion, which you will move. Will it not be moved on 30^th October?

Mr B. Mpundu: It is coming tomorrow.

Madam Speaker: It is coming tomorrow, actually. So, do not pre-empt your Motion. You may ask your question.

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, my question is: Should we not, at least, nationalise some mines, as evidenced by what is happening in Kasempa?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I would like to use what is happening in Kasempa as an example, as I answer the broader question. It is basically defined privatisation, and I would like to explain that. The people who are mining gold in Kikonge, for example, are private Zambians. Some licences are given to Zambians aside from artisanal mining licences, which the law prescribes should only be held by Zambian citizens. So, in Kikonge, we have given licences to artisanal miners who have formed cooperatives. They are Zambians who we can say are private capital being put into the cooperatives because they are not being funded by the Government. As a country, we have also seen the need to appoint an aggregator. So, when co-operatives mine the gold, an aggregator will prevent unscrupulous dealers from buying under-priced gold from our cooperatives. The Zambia Gold Company Limited is not actually mining the gold, it is aggregating the gold, which the cooperatives are mining, through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH).

Why has that been done? Firstly, it is a deliberate move to empower Zambians. The ministry is also training and teaching people the safe ways of mining and how to conduct business so that when they mine gold and make money, they do not end up disturbing kitchen parties, grabbing women and engaging in all sorts of things, as it used to be in the past. Miners have been taught the business side of things because at some point, alluvial gold will deplete and only gold ore will remain, which will need the establishment of proper mining.

Madam Speaker, what is happening in Kasempa is not nationalisation. Private Zambians are the ones mining, but they are compelled by law to sell gold to the Zambia Gold Company Limited (ZGCL), which is the aggregator. That is what the ministry is doing. That is the model it wishes to spread right across the country, including in areas like Kalabo, if there is a presence of alluvial gold. That idea prevents a big conglomerate from mining as a national company because successful politicians may end up abusing it. So, the Government wants Zambians to benefit directly. That model is the first of its kind. The Government is 100 per cent sure that it will succeed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the Kasempa or Kikonge plan under Hon. Kabuswe’s ministry is the way to go in terms of empowering Zambians. I am sure the hon. Minister watched my video. The question the hon. Member asked concerns everyone. What happened in Kikonge is also happening in Nyimba and I have been waiting. Why has the ministry not taken the same step it took in Kikonge? There were 4,000 people in Kikonge, but there are over 4,000 people in Nyimba. A 20 litre container of water costs K20 because of the gold rush.

Madam Speaker, that was not part of my question. Let me now ask my question to the hon. Minister.

Hon. Member: Question!

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, may the hon. Minister clarify what he meant by saying that the Government will move into a private setup regarding mining. If a mining licence is issued to an investor, who puts in a 100 per cent investment, will the Government come in with 49 per cent? Is the hon. Minister saying that if Menyani Zulu is issued with a mining licence, the Government will come in with 49 per cent or is it that with I being a Zambian, the Government cannot come in with 49 per cent? I just want clarity.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for raising that question. I believe there may be others who have misunderstood my earlier statement.

Madam Speaker, even now, any Zambian is free to apply, not only for an artisanal licence. There are Zambians who have applied for small-scale and large-scale mining licences. So, Zambians are free to apply.

Madam Speaker, mapping information is classified data for the Government, which must not be mishandled. We must use it to our advantage as the Government to negotiate proper deals that will attract capital into the mining sector. So, Hon. Menyani Zulu may have a mining licence, but may not have the capital, because mining is capital-intensive. For exploration expenses alone is money that I may not even spend the whole of my life. So, probably, he may need private money to come in or speak with the Government to say, “I have this licence and I want a consortium with the State”. That is something that can happen. That is why the Government has brought in what we are calling ‘a deal room’, where licence holders can connect to people with the resources to do a joint venture. So, really, any Zambian is free to apply for a licence, starting from artisanal, right through to large-scale mining.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, the concern of the hon. Member for Kalabo Central is about nationalisation. The hon. Minister has given the history of the situation. If I am not mistaken, for thirty-four years, successive Governments since the era of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD), the Patriotic Front (PF) and now the United Party for National Development (UPND) have run with the same policy. If we see that a certain policy is not working well and the people of Zambia are not benefiting, why can we not re-examine the policy and implement something that can work? For example, when the first Government nationalised the mines, the people of Zambia benefited and the economy boomed. In the past, the economy seemed to struggle because of the freedom fighters we had housed in Zambia. It did not struggle because of nationalisation. So, why can we not re-examine the policy after thirty-five years of using it so that we can have better benefits as a country? The State can, at least, have 49 per cent shareholding in any mining investment. Where is the problem or what is the problem? Is it so difficult to do that?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. I am trying to avoid becoming very political as I answer this question. So, I will do my best.

Eng. Nzovu: Just be political. It is okay.

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, most of the problems that we have had, particularly in the mining sector, have been brought about by poor leadership. It is as basic as that. For example, how does one liquidate a mine where he/she is a minority shareholder? Minority shareholders cannot liquidate. That is the route that was used with Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), when the Laws of Zambia provided, at that time, that a mine could default, suspend its licence and bring investors to the table. There should have been proper procedures for the nation not to be subjected to what it was subjected to, which was to allow a mine to be milked by politicians.

Mr Nkandu: Lecturer Kabuswe!

Mr Kabuswe: So, the country needed to do the correct thing. Anyone can inquire from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and other economic commentators. They will confirm that one of the reasons the Kwacha is strengthening is that production in the mining sector has gone up. The country is receiving more money through exports in the mining space.

Mr Nkandu: It is. Lecturer Kabuswe!

Mr Kabuswe: That is why our currency is picking up. So, the challenge is not really that the policy is not working.

Mr Tayali: Binwell!

Mr Kabuswe: It is because the country has not been doing the correct things.

Madam Speaker, I will give another example because this question has been asked. I do not know the right word to use because you may call it unparliamentary, but when I look at the deal that was signed when Glencore Plc was leaving Mopani Copper Mine, I would just straight away say that those who signed that deal were criminals. They did not love the country. How does one sign a deal indicating that Glencore Plc was leaving, yet it was not leaving? Glencore Plc left a debt of US$1.5 billion, equivalent to the value of Mopani Copper Mine. By the time we came into office as the New Dawn Government, the debt was at US$1.8 billion. Which investor can invest in a mine with a liability of US$1.5 billion? So, those are some of the things that people should know.

Madam Speaker, for example, if Mopani Copper Mines Plc wanted to sell a chair, it had to call Glencore Plc in Canada, or wherever the company is, and ask if a chair could be sold. Further, when Mopani Copper Mines mined copper, Glencore Plc had to approve the place where that copper could be sold. Apart from that, Glencore Plc said that it had the right of first refusal and it would charge Mopani Copper Mines 15 per cent marketing fees whenever selling things to itself. That is the crookedness that was going on. There were leaders who sat and signed that deal on behalf of the Zambian people.

Mr Nkandu: And they are there.

Eng. Nzovu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: So, those are some of the examples I can give.

Madam Speaker, why is it that Shaft No. 28 is being dewatered today? Why was it not dewatered five years ago when those characters (pointed at hon. PF Members) were in power?

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Kabuswe: It is because there was leadership –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Mr Kabuswe: I withdraw the word ‘characters’, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you.

Mr Kabuswe: I withdraw that word.

Madam Speaker, somebody who has proper leadership credentials, in the name of President HH (Hakainde Hichilema), has created a policy environment that will attract private money into the economy. I have a report on my desk on when a mining company made the decision to dewater Shaft No. 28. The company said that because of the policy environment, it would now spend money on the project. The company has pumps tailor-made for Shaft No. 28. Those pumps cannot work anywhere apart from Shaft No. 28. Why has the company taken that risk? Each pump costs US$1 million. It is because the company knows that it will recoup its investment because of the policy environment. So, it is not about a policy not working. That is why I have always said on the Floor of this House that we, as Zambians, should be careful about how we elect leaders. Let us be careful about how we elect Presidents. We must be careful.

Mr B. Mpundu: We will.

Mr Samakayi: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: We have seen a proliferation of many wannabe Presidents all over the place. So, let us be careful.

Madam Speaker, look at how President HH has driven this country. Look at how he has steered this country, even amidst serious challenges of drought and lack of money. The economy was growing at the rate of negative 2.8 per cent. Numbers do not lie. Now, our economy is growing at the rate of about 6 per cent, from negative 2.8 per cent, in the last four years. Numbers do not lie. There is confidence in the economy. When we came into power, the country had a huge debt around its neck. There was no fiscal space. We needed to restructure the debt, and that is what we have done, so that we create leg room in the economy. That is how you run things.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: Usually, it is not about the policy of working with the private sector. It is about leadership being in place and creating policies that can take this country where it is supposed to go.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Thank you.

I thought we were making progress, but I see two more indications.

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development for his responses.

Madam Speaker, indeed, the industrialisation of the mining industry –

Laughter

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, nationalisation of the mining industry in Zambia will definitely provide equitable benefits to the people of this country. Now, the hon. Minister has said that there are no plans to nationalise mines. He said that among the reasons we cannot nationalise mines is abuse of organisations, especially by political parties, Government officials and those who feel that they have an upper hand. Now, it is very important that we own the mining sector for the benefit of the people. Some of us are selfish; we do not want to share. In the event that we manage to counter the issues that are making it difficult for the country to own mines, such as pilferage and interference from politicians, would the Government consider nationalising mines? Would the Government come up with a plan to curb issues such as political interference and pilferage in order to consider nationalising mines?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important observation and sentiment on the question.

Madam Speaker, we still maintain that our economy is going to be driven by the private sector. However, we are not saying that the Government is not going to be part of the mining sector. That is not what we are saying. That is why I have given the example of the Mopani Copper Mines deal, in which the shareholding between the Government and the private sector is 49 per cent and 51 per cent, respectively. That is a huge percentage. Going forward, we are going to see many deals structured like that, especially with the results that will come from the mapping of minerals that we are doing.

Madam Speaker, I want the hon. Member to be comforted by knowing that the Government is not going to stay aloof. We will definitely be part of what is happening. I will give the example of Lubambe Copper Mine. During the negotiations of the Lubambe Copper Mine deal, we took advantage of the situation to increase our shareholding. I think that we had below 20 per cent shareholding previously. Under the deal with the investor, we negotiated our shareholding upwards to 30 per cent shareholding. This shows our intent on how we want to do partnerships in the mining space. That means we want to have more say, as the Government. We will not leave things to chance or strike a deal with an investor in which the investor gets 95 per cent shares and the Zambian Government gets 5 per cent, no. Please, when I say ‘investors’, I am not only talking about foreign investors, but also local investors, like Hon. Menyani Zulu asked. So, really, the Government will not sit aloof; it will work together with the private sector, be it foreign or local companies.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Madam Speaker, we appreciate the hon. Minister for volunteering a lot of information today. Obviously, he cited some people who signed some deals in the past as criminals. If I had a chance to ask two questions, I would have started by finding out what he has done with those criminals who were arrested for defrauding the State by getting K2.5 billion. However, for now, –

Mr Mutale: Dollars.

Mr Kampyongo: It is US$2.5 billion, sorry. He knows that First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is well-known. A very well-known criminal case has been forgiven.

Madam Speaker, considering the information that the hon. Minister has offloaded, how much money went to the State coffers for the shares offloaded by the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) in Mopani Copper Mines Plc? Shares moved to an investor, and we expected money to go to the State coffers. May I know how much money ended up in the coffers so that my Colleague, Hon. Miyutu, can be comforted by knowing that, indeed, we have a win-win situation with the investor?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, the issue of Mopani is in court. I would therefore, restrain myself from trying –

Mr Kampyongo: But you spoke about it.

Mr Kabuswe: Yes, I was speaking about how we struck the deal and not the details, because the details are now in court. So, it will be very difficult for me to start dissecting what came into the coffers and all those things. It is as good as me commenting on people withdrawing US$11 million on the counter and moving with it on a plane …

Mr Kampyongo: Question!

Hon. UPND Members: Imagine ayi!

Mr Kabuswe: … because that will be tantamount to commenting on matters that are before court.

Interruptions

Mr Kabuswe: Somebody is in jail over that. So, I do not want to start talking about things that are in court.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: We need to make progress. We have two more questions on the Order Paper, which I want to finish before we close.

What is the point of order, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, the point of order I am raising is pursuant to Standing Order No. 71.

The hon. Minister has been to this House talking about shares which were offloaded from ZCCM-IH with regards to Mopani here. We spent the entire afternoon trying to understand whether there was movement of money to the state coffers after the shares were transferred. We spent the whole afternoon here. Today, the hon. Minister has volunteered a lot of information regarding the mining deals he is striking.

Mr B. Mpundu: Amadilu!

Mr Kampyongo: I also spoke about the US$2.5 billion, which was a criminal case and people were arrested and have just been forgiven. I have credible information on that.

Now, Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to duck and choose to not respond to a question which he has spoken so much about in here and opt to start talking about other things? My question was very simple. How much money has ended up in state coffers because he has bragged about how they have struck deals? So, whether the matter is in court, money should be sitting in the Treasury for the shares that have been given …

Mr Nkandu: Question!

Mr Kampyongo: … because the mine is in operation.

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to react in that manner when the question was very simple and straightforward.

I seek your serious ruling.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much, hon. Member for Shiwang’andu.

I heard the hon. Minister say that the matter is in court. So, if the matter is in court, we are constrained to discuss it in detail. Maybe, it is something that can be discussed after the matter is concluded. I am sure it will be in the public domain and everyone will know what it was. So, unfortunately, the point of order is not admitted.

Can we make progress.

The hon. Member for Kalabo Central will be the last one.

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I think, the hon. Minister should thank the people of Kalabo Central for raising this question, which has accorded him space to put forward the Government’s intention. However, the hon. Minister was talking about the mineral – Is it the mineral or the mines regulator?

Hon. UPND Members: Minerals Regulator!

Mr Miyutu: Okay. Now, the hon. Minister has talked about a regulator. I would like to know whether there is a board in place. If there is no board, when is it going to be constituted?

Mr Kabuswe: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the question.

Madam Speaker, yes, the board is being constituted. We are not yet through with constituting the board. We will announce the board when we complete the process. I think, we are almost there, in terms of appointing board members.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: We make some progress.

PLANS TO CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF DAMS IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

37. Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central) asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

whether the Government has any plans to conduct an assessment of dams in Petauke District;

if so, when the plans will be implemented;

if the assessment was already done, what the findings were; and

if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that yes, the Government has plans to undertake an assessment of dams in Petauke District. This august House may wish to know that the ministry undertakes routine assessments of surface water infrastructure, that is, dams and weirs, to ascertain the status and number of existing infrastructure. In this regard, the last assessment was undertaken in 2023/2024 in the Eastern Province established that the province has a total of 104 dams, of which twenty-one are in Petauke District.

Madam Speaker, as indicated above, this is a routine exercise conducted by the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. Indeed, the assessment for 2023/2024 has been undertaken.

Madam Speaker, the 2023/2024 assessment has so far established that the district has twenty-one multipurpose dams owned by the communities. The assessment has shown that seven of the twenty-one dams are breached and are non-functional. These are Cheso, Chivunga, Mnyeche, Petauke Boma, Kanyanda, Nyandubane and Malila/Kambvumbe dams.

Madam Speaker, as already stated, plans are there, and these are being implemented.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Any supplementary questions?

Madam Speaker: I see none.

Hon. Member for Petauke Central, are you satisfied?

Mr S. Banda: Madam Speaker, yes, I am satisfied.

Laughter

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

DAMAGE CAUSED TO ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE BY OVERLADEN TRUCKS COUNTRYWIDE

38. Mr E. Banda (Muchinga) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government is aware of the damage being caused to road infrastructure by overladen trucks countrywide; and

if so, what measures are being taken to ensure that road users adhere to allowable tonnage.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Eng. Nzovu), on behalf of (the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi)): Madam Speaker, indeed, the Government is aware of the damage caused to road infrastructure by overladen trucks countrywide.

Madam Speaker, the Government is undertaking a vehicle load management programme to control vehicle loads and axle loads on road infrastructure in the country. This axle load control activity is being undertaken to ensure that road users adhere to allowable tonnage and axle loading thereby, preserving the road infrastructure and protecting other structures such as bridges and culverts from damage while also enhancing road safety.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you. Any Supplementary questions? I see none.

Mr E. Banda: I am here, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: No, I have just said that on a lighter note.

Laughter

Mr E. Banda: Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, this question was not a general question. It was specifically for tipper trucks that are seen moving around the Lusaka central business district (CBD). That is the gist of this question.

Madam Speaker, what the hon. Minister is saying and what is happening is different. If you go out of here, by the time you join the main road, you will meet an overloaded tipper truck. The empty weight of the tipper trucks goes to up to 20 tonnes. They load up to 45 tonnes net, which means that our roads are being subjected to 65 tonnes. Apart from just damaging the road, they are posing a serious danger to other road users because when they lose brakes, nothing can stop them.

Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister tell this House if our roads are built to sustain loads of up to 65 tonnes.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, firstly, I welcome the challenge of driving there and finding the trucks parked. I will find the trucks parked there, but that will not help me. Those same trucks will still have to pass through the weighbridge. The applicable axle loads will still have to be checked. If they are found wanting, they will be punished. As I clearly stated, the full extent of the law will be applied.

Madam Speaker, secondly, the hon. Member has alleged corruption, and that he has information. I can only invite him to our offices to work with us to root out this scourge. So, let us work together to ensure that we protect our road infrastructure.

Interruptions

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, Hon. E. Banda has asked a very important question. As a very senior engineer, I completely agree with his concerns.

Madam Speaker, allow me a bit of time to state the key measures, actions and ongoing efforts that are being undertaken by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to assure the hon. Member and, through him, the Zambians that the Government is not only aware of this issue, but that it is doing something about it. We have the national weighbridge infrastructure construction projects. The House may be aware that, in addition to the existing ten weighbridges in the country, the Government is also constructing additional weighbridges in Nakonde and Chingola. In accordance with the Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002 and the Road Traffic (Heavy Vehicle Regulations), Statutory Instrument (SI) 76 of 2016, provisions are in place to regulate vehicles that exceed the prescribed maximum permissible axle load limits. Vehicles found in contravention of the regulations are duly impounded and the responsible motorists are charged penalty fees, as stipulated under the applicable provisions of the law. In instances where motorists fail to remit the prescribed penalties within the stipulated timeframe, such vehicles are forfeited to the State in accordance with enforcement provisions outlined under the road traffic axle load control regulations.

Madam Speaker, this gives me the opportunity, and I agree with hon. Member, to say that the full extent of the law will be applied to motor vehicle owners, particularly tipper truck owners and those in the distribution of construction material, particularly sand, stones and quarry around the country. The ministry will not only issue the necessary fines, but also impound the trucks and forfeit them to the State. This is a very important issue because the designs of the roads obviously take into account the limits that are put on the force one exerts on an axle load. So, there are limits. Anybody who exceeds the limits will be punished. Exceeding the limits compromises the structural integrity of the roads and the safety of road users. This is very serious.

Madam Speaker, secondly, on mobile weighbridges, the country has been divided into two regions where the Government has deployed weighbridges to areas with no fixed weighbridges. Under the Southern region deployment, mobile weighbridges have been procured and deployed to the southern part of the country to cover Lusaka, western, southern and eastern regions. Under the northern region deployment, mobile weighbridges have been deployed to the northern parts covering the Northern, Copperbelt, North-Western, and Muchinga regions.

Madam Speaker, thirdly, the Government continues to sensitise truckers and the general public on the dangers and consequences of overloading through public awareness and campaigns, educating the public about the importance of axle load control and the consequences of noncompliance.

Madam Speaker, fourthly, the Government plans to install weigh-in-motion systems at strategic weighbridge locations across the country. Unlike traditional static weighbridges, these systems allow real-time weighing of vehicles while in motion, significantly reducing congestion and delays at checkpoints. The initiative is aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of axle load monitoring, enhancing compliance with road safety regulations and preserving the lifespan of national road infrastructure. By integrating this technology into existing weighbridge operations, the Government seeks to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, reduce human intervention and error, and promote a more transparent and data-driven approach to transport regulations.

Madam Speaker, in summary, I would like to assure the hon. Member, he specifically talked about tipper trucks that carry construction machines, that, indeed, the Government is aware that many tipper trucks, are overloaded. This is a timely warning, again, a timely warning, to tipper trucks owners and drivers that they will be fined, and that they will end up losing their trucks.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Tayengwa (Kabwata): Madam Speaker, the question that has been raised by the hon. Member for Muchinga is very important, especially since most tipper trucks hover between Lusaka and Kasisi as well as Katuba where there are no weighbridges. Most tipper trucks are Chinese-owned 40-tonne trucks. I want to know whether the ministry can liaise with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning so that the importation of 40-tonne trucks can be stopped. Other countries stopped allowing 40-tonne trucks on their roads.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, indeed, some areas do not have weighbridges. That is the essence of mobile weighbridges. Mobile weighbridges will be deployed to areas that do not have permanent weighbridges. We are working closely with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and other ministries under our one-Government approach. So, the whole Government system is involved. I can assure the hon. Member that the Government will do something about this. We are spending a lot of money on the maintenance of roads, as a result of damage caused by overloaded tipper trucks.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Nyimba, please, be precise to the point.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, the statement that the hon. Minister has made, I think, is how it is in a normal setup in terms of the law and everything else, that is, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and Road Development Agency (RDA) regulations. I challenge the hon. Minister to drive to the Chongwe Weighbridge port in the next hour. He will find forty to fifty trucks parked a kilometre away from the weighbridge. The trucks pass through the weighbridge at 0100 hours. Unfortunately, the trucks come from the Eastern Province. Some people are guilty, and they are even arguing. One of them is here, in this House, and he is arguing. He is a culprit of overloading. There is a law. I cannot just quote it. I know that Dr Andeleki would tell me the Act using his understanding of the law.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

We do not debate ourselves. Now, you are even accusing the hon. Member. Do you have any evidence to show that he is guilty of any act?

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, yes. I can present him on the Floor, because he was telling me just now.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, please, ask your question.

Mr Zulu: Madam Speaker, there is already a law in our statutes that stipulates that a Government institution or any other institution receiving or loading a truck should not exceed a certain maximum tonnage. Companies like the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) are one of the most, I do not know if I can say, corrupt. I am sorry to use that word, but such companies are the ones that do not maintain order. They are the ones who receive trucks loaded with 50 metric tonnes of maize, and yet our roads cannot sustain the 50 metric tonnes. I want to know what the ministry is doing about companies that load trucks of cement, for example. One of the culprits is the FRA. If a Government institution is penalised, then, everyone will refrain from overloading. What is the ministry doing about the FRA receiving overloaded trucks?

Madam Speaker: After the hon. Minister responds, the next hon. Member to ask a question will be the hon. Member for Shangombo.

Please, hon. Member, get ready, as you are joining us virtually.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, yes, I also spoke about enforcement. What are we doing about it? I outlined several measures, such as nationwide weighbridge infrastructure construction. Other hon. Members of Parliament stated that there are no permanent weighbridges; this is where mobile weighbridges come in. We are purchasing more weighbridges. Further, I talked about the installation of weigh-in-motion systems and the sensitisation of the public. So, basically, I am calling on everyone to work together to stop these overloaded tipper trucks from moving on our roads.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr E. Banda (Muchinga): Madam Speaker, the Acting hon. Minister for Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development talked of putting up mobile weighbridges in places like Muchinga Province, the Northern Province and other provinces outside Lusaka. Let us focus on Lusaka, where these things are actually happening. I will not talk about the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) trucks because I do not see them. However, I am raising this question based on what is happening within Lusaka.

Madam Speaker, when one owns a Volvo Truck, whose empty weight is about 12,000 tonnes, and carries 18 tonnes up to 32 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM), it is going to be impounded. That is true. However, you will find a Chinese-made truck, a Sino Truck, which weighs 20 tonnes and is loaded with 45 tonnes within Lusaka, but it is not being impounded. So, we need those mobile weighbridges here in Lusaka, not where the hon. Minister mentioned. In most cases, those big trucks are abiding by the law. If they overload at Kapiri Mposhi Weighbridge, by maybe, 700 kgs, which is less than a tonne, they are made to park and pay a fine of up to K5,000, K6,000 or K7,000. However, here in Lusaka, where we can all see, nothing happens. So, the hon. Minister should concentrate here in Lusaka. This issue is denying us roads.

Madam Speaker, I have been singing for a road to be constructed in my area, but it has not been done because the Government says it will do so when money is available. However, if a road is damaged here in Lusaka today, it will be given priority, yet when those trucks are damaging the roads in Lusaka, we just watch and do nothing. If the Road Development Agency (RDA) cannot impound them, the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development should do what the hon. Minister of Tourism did. He gave rights to other hon. Members to become wildlife officers. He should also make us officers so that we can impound the overloaded trucks. I see them even around 0100 hours when I am coming from Serenje. I often meet them over the flyover bridge. We do not have to wait until we lose a lot of money.

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, let me state very clearly that my portfolio is Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development throughout Zambia, not just in Lusaka. So, I am taking advantage of the hon. Member’s question to warn everybody in the country.

Hon. Member: A whistleblower can be anyone.

Eng. Nzovu: Indeed, a whistleblower can be anybody in the country. I am warning everybody in the country. I recognise the fact that the scourge is quite rampant here in Lusaka. However, I can assure the House that wherever construction works are going on, our roads are being abused. What are we doing about it? I have outlined the measures very clearly. Indeed, in Lusaka, in the central business district (CBD), you will not find a permanent weighbridge. That is why we are using those mobile weighbridges. I have stated very clearly that we are purchasing more mobile weighbridges to ensure that we stop those tipper trucks.

Madam Speaker, I can assure the House that I have had a detailed discussion with Hon. Milupi. We are also working with Hon. Kabuswe in Chililabombwe. Chililabombwe and Chingola are other areas of concern. We are working very closely with Hon. Milupi. By the way, the hon. Member for Muchinga and I come from the transport sector, which is why he is very passionate about it. He was once a very reliable truck driver. I was also once a transporter. So, we share these concerns. These concerns are very serious to us because they are damaging our road infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. Member that we will take measures throughout the country. As per his advice, obviously, we will do more here in Lusaka.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mubika joined via Zoom but was inaudible.

Madam Speaker: You can unmute yourself if you are muted. You have the Floor. While we wait for him to get ready, the last question will be from the hon. Member for Kanyama.

Mr Chinkuli (Kanyama): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, it saddens me to hear that trucks are allowed to park at a toll gate without exiting. However, at some point, those trucks will exit. The question is –

Mr Mubika: Hello, Madam Speaker, am I audible now?

Madam Speaker: Hon Member, just hold on. There is another hon. Member on the Floor. Just be ready. You will be called upon later, after the hon. Member for Kanyama.

May the hon. Member for Kanyama proceed.

Mr Chinkuli: Madam Speaker, as I was saying, it saddens me to hear that trucks reach a toll gate and park. At a particular time, maybe midnight or 0300 a.m., they cross over. What is being hidden? Looking at what is happening, there must be some deal, or there are some deals that are actually taking place.

Hon. Member: How do you know?

Mr Chinkuli: I mean, that is my analysis. Do not ask me questions.

Madam Speaker, those weighbridges are there for a purpose. They determine the fee based on a vehicle’s tonnage. If our staff members who operate the toll gates choose to entertain certain deals, I find it very unfortunate. Trucks are designed to carry a particular weight or load, but if someone decides to add more weight to the truck, knowing that they have some people who will help the driver proceed, it is unfortunate.

Madam Speaker, to counter that, as the Government, are we not considering coming up with some technology that would replace the human interface to track the time a particular truck passes the load and the fee to be paid? I think, we are failing. This is what has probably caused us Zambians to not nationalise the mines; because there was some interference of some kind. So, seeing that we are going through the same trajectory, why not come up with more stringent measures that will ensure that whatever passes through the weighbridges is captured, and the actual fee is paid?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, this gives me an opportunity to define a few terms for our complete understanding. Number one, obviously, is the axle load itself. What is it? The axle load is the total weight placed on a vehicle's axle, which includes the weight, the cargo and the passengers. This is a critical factor in the design of roads. So, we need to monitor it. A track has to move from where it is to either a permanent weighbridge or make it pass through a mobile one.

So, a truck has to move from where it is and pass through either a permanent or mobile weighbridge.

Madam Speaker, as for the trucks that park before weighbridges, there is very little we can do because we do not control the timings of the trucks. So, until a truck passes through a permanent or mobile weighbridge, we cannot determine whether it is carrying a load that is within the allowable limit or not. Once a truck has passed through a weighbridge, that is when the necessary charges are meted out, if it has exceeded the limit. When truckers violate the rules, that is when we mete out stiff penalties. I can assure this august House that the Government will apply the full extent of the law regarding this issue.

Madam Speaker, as for the areas which do not have permanent weighbridges, I have stated clearly that mobile weighbridges will be procured for them.

Madam Speaker, this question has attracted a lot of attention. I will be discussing it in detail with the substantive hon. Minister to see what other measures we can put in place. I can also invite one of our recognised transporters, the one who brought up the question, Hon. Banda. I also thank him sincerely for bringing up this question because it is a very critical question.

Madam Speaker, I was also advised by Hon. Doreen Mwamba that we did not visit Leopards Hill Road and Kasisi Road; some things are happening there. We will visit those areas and all other areas of concern. We need to work together to stop the violations.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much.

The last question will be from the hon. Member for Shangombo, who is joining us virtually.

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, I would like to agree with the hon. Members of Parliament for Nyimba and Serenje. In my opinion, maybe, the response that the Acting hon. Minister has provided was prepared by people who own Chinese tipper trucks.

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: And that is how he disappeared.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, are you still there? You disappeared.

Proceed, please.

Mr Mubika: Madam Speaker, the Road Development Agency (RDA) has mobile weighbridges. The Acting hon. Minister of Transport and Logistics can order the RDA officials, whom, I am sure, are present in the House. As the pilot at the moment, the hon. Minister, through radio and television, can order the RDA officials to set up weighbridges on all the four roads leading into Lusaka. He can even go to see for himself what is really happening. I know that he is a former transporter. Roads such as the Great East Road and the Ring Road, which lead to mining areas where quarry is mined, are wobbly because of Chinese tipper trucks that are overloaded every now and then. Usually, they load up to 50 tonnes. Why is the hon. Minister, in conjunction with the RDA, not bringing mobile weighbridges into Lusaka on the roads leading to quarry mining areas so that overloading by Chinese tipper trucks can be curbed?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, indeed, I am a former transporter, and a very proud one. The hon. Member of Parliament who has asked the question is also a former transporter. However, my advice to him is that he cannot allege that people who own Chinese tipper trucks prepared the response for me, a very senior engineer, who is actually involved in the design of roads.

Laughter

Eng. Nzovu: If that is not ignorance, then I do not know what is.

Madam Speaker, what I am saying is what is going to happen, because that is the way it should be. We do not have permanent weighbridges around the central business district (CBD). We need to use mobile weighbridges. That is what we need to use. I said very clearly that we are procuring more mobile weighbridges. Further, I said that it is not only the CBD that requires weighbridges; we are also going to build more weighbridges in the outskirts. This is because for us to catch those violating the law, trucks have to pass through a weighbridge. It is not commands that are needed. We just have to do the right thing. So, let us work together to stop that scourge. The tipper trucks owned by Chinese or any other nationality will be impounded, as long as they violate the laws of the land. So, I invite the hon. Member for Shangombo to come forth so that we work together, instead of casting aspersions on his hon. Colleagues. I am a very senior member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ). He needs to respect knowledge.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I am sure that the last part was meant for the cousin from Shangombo.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Order!

_______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Vice-President (Dr Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1836 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 29^th October, 2025.

____________

Search form

You are here

Order Paper

parliament.gov.zm