…Government dispels rumors of miners dying in Kasempa
Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba has dispelled rumors that some miners died in the recent fracas at a gold mine in Kasempa.
Tambatamba says the miners’ evacuation was to safeguard their lives after more than 2,000 illegal miners were detected in the area. She added that the government had engaged in dialogue with the affected miners before the law enforcement agencies moved in.
Speaking at a joint press briefing today with her Mines and Information and Media counterparts, Tambatamba said that thorough investigations were conducted in hospitals and clinics and none confirmed any fatalities.
“There is no death recorded in Kasempa, so what the former president Edgar Lungu alluded to are mere lies. Only two miners were treated and they are out of danger. No death or funeral was recorded,” she said.
She warned that spreading sensitive lies is a serious offense and urged Zambians, including Lungu and his supporters, to take responsibility and stick to the facts to avoid jeopardizing the peace and investment.
Transparency International Zambia has equally been advised to stop issuing misleading statements with impunity, especially on Sensele mine, at the expense of the country’s integrity.
Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe says this government is intolerant of illegal mining and will ensure that once the mapping of minerals is done, no illegal mining will take place.
Kabuswe also clarified that the government does not own Sensele Mine and that the owners of the license were at liberty to legally partner with whomever they want.
“I want to sound a warning that dealing with illegal mining at your mine is your responsibility, but once we discover any danger and in areas where we sense that the government is losing out, we shall come in,” he stated.
Kabuswe further said that the task force on minerals mapping will be transparent and will not tolerate any illegality.
And Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa said that one of the wives to the fugitive Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Emmanuel Banda was being interrogated about her husband’s disappearance.
He expressed his disappointment that the lawmaker has continued to break the law and evade the course of justice. Mweetwa indicated that investigations have revealed that this was a well-executed move but clues show that he is hiding within the neighborhood.
He warned leaders, especially members of Parliament, to stop misinforming citizens on national issues because once they speak, people take it as gospel truth.
