DAILY
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Vol. 6. Issue 2603
Wednesday May 20, 2020
PENSIONERS ‘ROBBED’
Which pension scheme owns this building?
By NATION REPORTER
SCORES of retirees have died destitute because successive Governments have allowed the moribund Pension and Insurance Au-
thority (PIA) to register pension scams as pension schemes. Now a consortium of retirees from Barclays Bank and BP Zambia have pleaded with President Edgar Lungu to appoint an actuary to audit the operations of
a named investment company that has been registered and has been masquerading as a Pension scheme. “We want to appeal to the President as a lawyer to examine Pensions Act 1996 and 1997... To P3
...regulators have failed the pension industry. Page 3
France reports 70 new Covid-19 cases in schools a week after reopening STORY ON PAGE 3
‘Take advantage of rising gold prices’ STORY ON PAGE 2
772 Cases 10 0 0 900 800
Covid-19 stats
70 0
Total test
600
6,500
50 0 475
Cases
7,377
Recovered
3,746
Deaths
561
New Cases
176
Algeria
450
13,258
425 400 375 350 325
250 225 20 0 175
192
7
11
Covid-19 update Cases
300 275
761
Zambia
• • • • •
Deaths
Discharged
772 total cases recorded 644 tested in the last 24 hours 0 patients discharged 11 new cases in the last 24hours 192 recovered
150 125 10 0 75 50
President Edgar Lungu attending the SADC Troika Summit, under strict adherence to social distancing and masking, at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe
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Wednesday 20, May 2020
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DON’T LOSE FOCUS ZAMBIANS must maintain focus even in the face of adversity and affliction secure a prosperous future. Many a time, individuals lose focus when confronted with debilitating circumstances, but it is prudent to summon mental strengthen and eventually get back on track. At societal level, when affliction strikes, many voices reverberate, most of them with negative undertones while a few speak positively. On face value, the positive and voice of reason sounds outrageous. More often, progressive suggestions get drowned in emotional outbursts from outspoken elements that always want to be heard. Therefore, Zambians must remain resolute and only take that which is progressive from level-headed political leaders as well as technocrats. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the picture in both the private and public sectors looks gloomy, but even in such a dark scenario Zambians ought to search for a positive avenue to navigate. Not all is lost; as in every dark cloud there is a silver lining. In fact, Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping tycoon said it aptly: “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Thus we agree with Finance Minister, Ng’andu Bwalya, who states that the mining industry requires sustenance during this critical period and that a survival plan is a must. The Minister, who is leading a technical committee established to find the way forward for the mines, believes that Mopani Copper Mine and other firms need to sustain operations and avoid job cuts. From a remote stand-point, the statement sounds farfetched especially with the far-reaching negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Mopani and other firms must re-look at their strategies and adjust in a manner that will guarantee sustenance of operations instead of giving up altogether. It is relieving that in tourism, industry players are working on a post Covid-19 recovery strategy to guarantee survival. Zambia Tourism Agency is working on an immediate action that will help tourists adapt to the current situation. Domestic tourism is particularly being explored for further development. The Zambia Association of Manufacturers, too, has started looking at ways of surviving the Covid-19 crunch. Thus the mining industry is no exception and has the ability to sort out the grey areas so that production can proceed in a sustainable manner. Other mining houses in the world have crafted a stock-piling strategy while seeking ways of exporting the minerals in the face of lockdowns in many countries. It is also true however that countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have started easing restrictions to allow business and the industries to fire back to normal operations. Mopani must thus recant the extreme action of placing the Mufulira and Kitwe assets on care and maintenance and adopt more progressive strategies for a win-win situation. On the other hand, Government must look into Mopani’s demand and meet its obligations such as paying the VAT refund. Government should also re-look at the tax regime particularly the mineral royalties. Zambia Chamber of Mines has been complaining about the increased sliding scale for royalties of four percent to six percent by 1.5 percentage points. The chamber has also complained about the 10 percent tax when the price of copper exceeds $7, 500 per tonne. In essence, the scale is adjusted so that royalties are paid at higher levels as commodity prices climb and are reduced as prices fall. Therefore, all Zambians must remain focused!
PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTERGRITY
‘TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RISING GOLD PRICES’ By SILUMESI MALUMO
RISING gold prices on the international market should move Government to pump more resources in mining the precious metal, says the SmallScale Miners Association of Zambia (SSMAZ). Gold price rose to the highest on the international market in more than seven years after the stocks and asset prices suffered a significant hit from Covid -19. Spot gold climbed as much as 1.2 percent to US$1, 763.70 an ounce, the highest since October 2012 while bullion has surged 16 percent this year as the spread of the virus curbed economic growth and roiled markets. SSMAZ president, Kunda Chani said this was the most appropriate time for By AARON CHIYANZO
TOURISTS who have been allowed into Zambia are free of Covid-19 because they undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine, Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), Victor Mukonka has said. This follows concerns that tourists were now flocking to the Victoria Falls in Livingstone after President Edgar Lungu ordered that the natural wonder be opened. When asked during the Covid-19 update yesterday whether residents were safe with tourists flocking into the area, Professor Mukonka said only outsiders who satisfied the quarantine requirements were allowed to enter the country. Prof Mukonka said residents were safe even with tourists coming into the country as long as health guidelines against Covid-19 were followed. Prof Mukonka also expressed disappointment with Covid-19 patients at Chinsali Isolation Centre who were seen disregarding health guidelines in a video that went viral. He however said corrective
the country to benefit significantly from gold sales so that the economy could be revived. Mr Chani said most developed economies were aware that economies would be on recession during this period and they want to stock up gold as reserves. He said in an interview that it was prudent that Government allocated more funds so that the country could export more gold. “Let us take advantage of this opportunity. Government already announced that we have enough gold in Zambia to turnaround fortunes. “Delaying the processes will cause us to lose an opportunity. So our appeal is to the Ministry of Finance, as it comes up with measures of structuring of the
national budget, to prioritise capitalising the Ministry of Mines so that we are not left behind with this opportunity,” Mr Chani said. Mr Chani said there was boom in gold and the buyers were not hesitating to buy because they wanted to save their economies. Mines and Minerals Development minister, Richard Musukwa recently said there were substantial volumes of gold in Kasenseli in North-Western Province which can help the country fight poverty, reduce its debt portfolio and build on reserves. “I can confirm that we have substantial volumes of gold in Kasenseli and our experts are telling us that it is a platform which can help us navigate out of this critical time we are in,” he said.
‘Only Covid-19 free tourists allowed into Zambia’
Prof Mukonka measures had been implemented and patients cautioned. And Prof Mukonka said Zambia recorded 11 new cases of Covid-19 from the 644 tests conducted in the last 24 hours. He said 8 cases involving
‘Lawyer Mosho unlawfully fired MD, 8 others’ By CHINTU MALAMBO
LUSAKA lawyer Lewis Mosho has been accused of unlawfully firing the managing director and eight other employees at Kinghar Company Zambia where he is the business rescue administrator. Wang Shunxue, a shareholder who was also the managing director in Kinghar Company Zambia has moved the Lusaka High Court to allow him start proceedings on his own behalf and on behalf of the eight other employees, challenging the termination of their employment. He is citing Kinghar Company Zambia (under supervision and commencement of business rescue proceedings). Mr Shunxue stated in an affidavit in support of originating summons that the company was placed under business rescue, by way of a consent judgement approved by the High Court at Kabwe and Mr Mosho was appointed business rescue administrator. “The business rescue administrator terminated the employment of the plaintiffs without giving us notice of the said termination and without giving reasons for termination,” Mr Shunxue said. He stated that the termination of his employment and the others, was supposed to comply with the law. “We seek to commence legal proceedings against the defendant. Unless leave to commence proceedings is granted, the plaintiffs will continue to suffer prejudice,” he said.
a Tanzanian truck driver, a health worker from Nakonde, a Nakonde resident, a resident of Isoka who travelled to Nakonde and 4 others from Chirundu which included 2 truck drivers were picked from samples that were taken to the UTH laboratory in Lusaka.
Prof Mukonka said 3 cases involving a health worker from Solwezi Hospital, one from Mungwi and another from Kasama all with a history of having travelled to Nakonde were picked from a batch that was sent to the Ndola laboratory. He said the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases in Zambia was 772 and 7 deaths, 192 recoveries and 573 active cases. Meanwhile, Prof Mukonka said 116 arrivals were recorded at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and included 72 Zambians and 44 foreign nationals who transited through the country under police escort. For Chirundu, Prof Mukonka said over 500 people who were coming from South Africa were screened and tested and that their results would be announced when ready.
Lungu attends SADC summit in Zimbabwe
By AARON CHIYANZO
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu was yesterday among the Heads of State who attended the Extraordinary Organ Troika Plus Republic of Mozambique Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Zimbabwe aimed at reviewing the political and security situation in the region amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The summit was chaired by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the chairperson of the organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. It resolved that SADC would continue cooperating
regionally in the fight against Covid-19 and protect citizens while sustaining livelihoods. The summit which was also attended by Mozambican President, Fillip Nyusi and President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi condemned terrorist and armed attacks in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province. This is according to a statement issued by the Zambian Government. The summit also called for a peaceful transfer of power in Lesotho in line with the constitution of that country. It also took note of the Supreme Court of Malawi’s decision on the annulled May 2019 Presidential elections.
DAILY
Wednesday 20 May, 2020
RETIREES ‘ROBBED’ From Page 1 which were enacted at the height of privatization frenzy to see the mischief introduced, now responsible for the destitution of retirees,” their spokesman Mr. Richard Sinoya Banda has said. In the alternative they have pleaded with the President to commission the new chairman of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Mr Bwalya Chiti, an accomplished insurance practitioner to reverse anomalies and protect the lives of pensioners. It was wrong, he said, that the Commissioner of Lands was registering pension schemes as pension trusts because it had always been the Zambia Revenue Authority which was mandated to register and approve pension scheme rules. He explained that there was a fundamental and institutional difference between a pension scheme and a pension fund and that the Pension and Insurance Authority had deliberately ignored these principles and caused ruin in the pension and insurance business. They charged that complaints lodged through the Police, PIA, Ministry of Finance and other authorities to regularise the situation had been derailed with papers getting lost and relevant investigating officers being removed on re-assignment. They cited the case of the Saturnia Regna Pension Trust Fund that had
gate crashed into the pension and insurance business with the help of the regulator. They have revealed that statutory manipulation to the 1996 and 1997 Pension and Insurance Acts corruptly opened the pension schemes to irregular institutions. “The 1996 and 1997 Acts were never taken to Government Printers; for reasons that are not clear, The Pension Scheme Regulations Act of 1996 and the Insurance Act of 1997 do not appear to have ever been printed by Government Printers. Copies of legislation in the market appear to have been type written at the Office of the Registrar of Insurance. This raises serious doubts about the authenticity and even legality of legislation!” Mr. Banda said. He explained that a pension scheme was owned by the employer and employees who established and contributed to insure the lives of the employees against the uncertainty of death. Members were guaranteed a salary for life to such members. On the other hand he said a pension fund manager specialises in long term investments and may be contracted by a pension scheme to manage their investments. And an Insurance expert has reiterated that investment managers such as the Saturnia Regna Pension Trust Fund were not supposed to be registered under the Insurance and Pension Authority. Retirees from BP Zambia Plc, Barclays Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Plc and now Konkola Copper Mines are battling for their benefits from Pension Schemes managed by the Saturnia Regna Pension Trust Fund.
France reports 70 new Covid-19 cases in schools a week after reopening PARIS - France has recorded 70 new cases of Covid-19 in schools that were allowed to reopen last week, the country's education minister said on Monday. France closed its school and higher education institutes from March 17 as part of the country's measures to contain the country's coronavirus outbreak. France had recorded over 180, 000 coronavirus cases and more than 28, 000 deaths as of May 18. After two months of lockdown, France has begun to lift restrictions, including the reopening of some shops and preschools and elementary schools. According to France24, classes have been capped at 10 students for preschools and 15 students for
other age groups. Despite social distancing measures in classes, some kids have caught the disease. Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer told French radio station RTL on Monday that 70 new cases of Covid-19 had been detected in the week since students came back, which he said was "inevitable." "It's inevitable this sort of thing will happen," he said. "In almost all cases, this (transmission) has happened outside of the school." Blanquer noted that the 70 cases were a small proportion of the 1.4 million schoolchildren who have returned. He said the affected schools would be closed immediately. – BUSINESS INSIDER.
HOME NEWS
By PETER SICHALI
U
PND president Hakainde Hichilema is too selfish and a dictator who does not want to share power or ideas and should not be allowed anywhere near corridors of state power, PF Secretary-General Davis Mwila has charged. And PF Isoka district chairperson, Gerald Silwamba has said the UPND leader had provoked Muchinga people and that the party’s regional leader was playing cheap politics by provoking and insulting ruling party and Government sympathisers. Mr Mwila said Mr Hichilema was so selfish that he had been running a political party without a vice president so that he could make decisions alone. Reacting to assertions by Mr Hichilema that the PF was a terrorist organisation, Mr Mwila said the UPND leader was the dictator, and the one running a terrorist organiaation. He said PF was a political party committed to improving the lives of Zambian people. “It’s HH who is a dicta-
‘HH IS A DICTATOR’ tor because you cannot run a party without a vice president. He has never gone to a convention and he wants to get into Government when he cannot lead by example,” Mr
Mwila said. Mr Mwila said Mr Hichilema would turn Zambia into a dictatorship if voted into power.
Mr Hichilema
Mr Mwila
State warns against drugs pilferage By BENNIE MUNDANDO
GOVERNMENT has declared zero tolerance to pilferage of drugs and directed management at Medical Stores to be alert to any malpractice. And Vice President Inonge Wina has commended the Ministry of Health for securing Zambia’s entry points and ensure that people entering the country are all tested for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Speaking when Ms Wina toured Medical Stores facility in Lusaka yesterday, Health Minister, Chitalu Chilufya called for accountability and integrity among them, adding that pilferage of drugs would not be conducted. “These commodities have been entrusted on us by from
the public, let us ensure optimal accountability. Integrity is non-negotiable. Let us heighten our level of alertness and have zero tolerance to pilferage. “Any evidence showing any pilferage must be quickly taken up and we should frown upon any malpractice,” Dr. Chilufya said. Meanwhile, Ms. Wina said Zambia had a huge responsibility in ensuring that Covid-19 was controlled because of the number of neighbouring countries it had. She said the ministry was up to the task to ensure that the screening of people from other countries was done and that there was need to ensure that Personal Protective Equipment ([PPE) was made
available to frontline workers manning the country’s borders such as Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and police officers “We have a huge responsibility as a country because we are surrounded by so many countries and we have to rely on the provisions and supplies from overseas and the surrounding countries and all types of people come here and we don’t know how safe they are. “For Medical Stores, ensure that we don’t need to hold on the medical supplies received but distribute to people who need them the most,” Ms. Wina said. Ms Wina also said there was need to for cooperation between Medial Stores and
MUZ backs CEC on mine power supply By ROGERS KALERO
THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has been efficient and competent in supplying power to the mining industry and should be given a fair hearing in the bulk power negotiations, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe has said. Mr Chewe has urged Government to exercise responsibility when dealing with power supply to the mining industry to avoid power disruptions in the mines. The mining industry, he said, needed efficient supply of power and availability of spares in times of an emergency. He added that the mining industry was sensitive and required quick response to any power faults which CEC had exhibited with excellence.
The bulk power supply agreement between CEC and Zesco expired on March 31, this year and there and been debate on whether the deal should continue or not. CEC buys power in bulk and distributes it to the mining industry through the infrastructure which had been developed over the years. Mr Chewe said in an interview in Kitwe after meeting Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu, Mines Minister Richard Musukwa, Joyce Simukoko from Labour and host Japhen Mwakalombe that the matter between Zesco and CEC must be resolved quickly. He said the CEC had so far exhibited efficiency in serving the mining industry and if Zesco had to take over power supply to the mine, then it would have to swiftly adapt the culture of efficiency which
currently it had not exhibited. "From the time CEC has been servicing the mines, it has shown high level of efficiency which has gained and held the confidence of the mining industry. It has been efficient in terms of power supply, availability of spares in times of an emergency and a quick response to any faults "We have a problem with Zesco taking over from CEC because of inertia. When your report faults, they will come at their own time and even if they come, they will tell you we don't have cables, metres or the transformer is burnt,'' Mr Chewe said And National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president James Chansa has urged the four ministers to address the challenges the mining sector was facing to ensure that no miners lose
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“PF is a democratic party, no wonder we allow everyone to exercise their freedoms and we do not suppress anyone,” he said. Mr Mwila has urged UPND leaders to concentrate on mobilising their party ahead of next year’s general elections. And Mr Mwila has advised the opposition party against politicising the fight against Covid-19. “The opposition should not use Covid-19 for political expedience instead everyone should come on board and join the fight,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr Silwamba said he was disappointed with cheap politics that the UPND’s regional leader was playing by provoking and insulting ruling party and Government sympathisers. He said the behavior by Mr Hicleilema and his few supporters at a radio station in Isoka was very shameful and should not be entertained. Mr Silwamba said there was peace in Isoka until Mr Hichilema deliberately started provoking sympathisers of the ruling party. “Mr Hichilema should not think he can take Isoka and Muchinga people for a ride,” he said.
the ministries of Education and Health to tighten preparedness by ensuring that materials such as face masks and hand sanitisers were distributed to schools before examination classes reopen on June 1.
Ms Wina
jobs because of the tactics of some investors. Mr Chansa said, in their discussion with Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), the ministers should listen to the concerns of the mining company and vice-versa in order to strike a balance "The purpose of having investors in the country is to improve the economy and the lives of the people. Those investors who are not ready to contribute to the economy by creating and maintaining jobs, should be shown the way,'' Mr Chansa said And Mr Musukwa said Government had firmly refused to put Mopani on care and maintenance, but instead opted to dialogue. "This exercise is not an academic one, but it is aimed at achieving desirable results. Government has once again and firmly so refused to place the mine on care and maintenance,'' Mr Musukwa said