Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, has announced that President Hakainde Hichilema donated K20,000 to each of the five families affected by a recent accident at Macro Link Mine along the Ndola-Mufulira road.

Matambo disclosed this during a meeting with the families on Monday in Ndola.

Read more: Decomposed bodies of retrieved Macrolink miners given mass burial in Ndola

The five victims were retrieved and buried at Mitengo Cemetery in Ndola.

“What remained was the closure of the matter, hence the final meeting held today after reaching an agreement with all stakeholders,” Matambo said.

Additionally, Matambo revealed that Macro Link Mine management and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board have compensated each family with an undisclosed amount.

He also noted that the mine management had pledged to employ one person from each affected family to provide ongoing support.

“I urge you to remain united and share the resources as guided by the law to avoid conflicts within families and adhere to the laws of the land,” Matambo advised.

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ZCCM-IH has reportedly handed over K36 million in dividend to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) for the year ending December 31, 2023.

ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ndoba Vibetti, stated that this marked the ninth consecutive year of dividend payments to NAPSA, which holds a 15 percent stake in the company.

At a cheque handover ceremony in Lusaka on Monday, Dr. Vibetti revealed that ZCCM-IH shareholders approved a total dividend of K243 million for the 2023 financial year, with NAPSA’s share being K36 million.

Last year, a historic dividend payment of K108.4 million was made for the 2021 and 2022 financial years.

Dr. Vibetti also noted that since 2015, NAPSA has received K263 million in dividends from ZCCM-IH.

NAPSA Director-General, Muyangwa Muyangwa, praised ZCCM-IH for its consistent profitability and positive impact on NAPSA’s financial liquidity.

He stated the importance of long-term strategic investment partnerships in achieving NAPSA’s vision of providing reliable social security services.

“We are committed to ensuring this partnership continues to thrive and deliver mutual benefits. Our quest to achieve organizational goals heavily relies on partnerships with organizations like ZCCM-IH,” Muyangwa said.

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Former Intercity Patriotic Front (PF) cadre, Francis Muchemwa, also known as Commander 2, has lost his properties, including his house, after the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court ordered their forfeiture to the State.

Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, ruled on Monday that Muchemwa’s properties, valued at over K12 million, are proceeds of crime following his conviction.

Read more: Magistrate warns against hero-worshipping, as PF cadre ‘Commander 2, jailed three years with hard labour

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had applied for the forfeiture under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.

Muchemwa was convicted of possessing properties obtained through proceeds of crime and sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labor.

Additionally, he was fined K141,400, and his two companies were fined a total of K800,000.

The forfeited assets include properties L/26393/M, L/26394/M, and a motor vehicle BAR 9059 ZM.

Muchemwa had filed a notice of intention to appeal against the conviction and sentencing to the High Court, arguing that the magistrate erred in law and fact by failing to submit the documentary evidence due to a technicality.

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Former Lusaka Province Minister, Bowman Lusambo, and his wife, Nancy Manase, will call 15 witnesses in their defence against 10 criminal counts, including concealing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud.

Lusaka Magistrate Faides Hamaundu found the couple with a case to answer on Monday, stating that the prosecution had made a prima facie case against them.

The defence, represented by counsel Emmanuel Phiri, informed the court they will present 15 witnesses to solidify their defence when proceedings begin on August 14.

Read More: Lusambo, ex-Lusaka minister, Lusambo, wife face arrest for failure to appear in court

The couple is accused of possessing properties suspected to be proceeds of crime, including a single-storey four-bedroom house and an incomplete block of six flats in Chamba Valley, Lusaka.

These properties were allegedly acquired between May 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, in Lusaka, jointly with other unknown persons.

The prosecution alleged that Lusambo and his wife concealed these properties, reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, and also evaded tax payments.

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Copper Queens skipper, Barbra Banda’s record-breaking third Olympic hat-trick was overshadowed by a disappointing 6-5 defeat to Australia.

Banda became the first player to score three hat-tricks at the Olympic Games, having previously scored two at Tokyo 2020 against the Netherlands and China.

Despite a brace from Racheal Kundananji, Zambia couldn’t prevent a dramatic collapse in a match where they once led 5-2.

Read more: Copper Queens fall 3-0 to USA in Paris Olympics opener

Australia made a remarkable comeback to beat Zambia 6-5 with a 90th-minute goal in a hotly contested Group B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday.

Steph Catley, who also scored a brace, and goals from Alanna Kennedy, Hayley Raso, Michelle Heyman, and an own goal from Zambia’s goalie Ngambo Musole (58’) secured the victory for the Matildas.

Zambia drew first blood in the opening minute with a long-range effort by Banda.

The Matildas almost equalized two minutes later through Emily van Egmond, but the leveller came in the seventh minute with Alanna Kennedy scoring off a Stephanie Catley assist.

The end-to-end entertainment continued as both sides created chances.

Zambia restored their lead in the 21st minute with Racheal Kundananji beating goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Banda struck her second goal, but the deficit was cut back down to one after Hayley Raso scored just two minutes later.

Banda completed her hat-trick just before half-time, making it 4-2 in favor of Zambia at the break.

She then turned provider with an assist for Kundananji, who doubled her tally just nine minutes after the break as Zambia led 5-2.

The Matildas started their comeback after Zambian goalie Ngambo Musole made a howler by scoring an own goal just two minutes later.

Two more goals from Catley—a free kick in the 65th and a penalty in the 78th—evened the score and set up a nervy finale.

Just when the match seemed to be heading for a 5-all draw, Australia completed the comeback after Michelle Heyman scored at the stroke of 90 minutes.

Both teams had chances in the eight minutes of additional time, but the contest at Nice Stadium ended in a 6-5 victory for Australia.

Zambia now sits bottom of Group B after back-to-back defeats.

The Copper Queens would now switch their attention to the final preliminary round match against Germany on Wednesday.

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Team Zambia Judo athlete, Simon Zulu, became the first Zambian to be eliminated from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Zulu was disqualified in his contest against Jin-Won Kim of South Korea.

According to the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) Facebook page, Judo Coach Humphrey Nyirenda described the match as tough but noted that the rules were clear.

“He was disqualified for using his head in attack or defense, which is grounds for immediate disqualification to protect the athlete.”

Read More: Copper Queens fall 3-0 to USA in Paris Olympics opener

Reflecting on the way forward, Nyirenda said they will return to the drawing board, focusing on upcoming international tournaments and preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“We get back on the tatami with a focus on the next competitions and the next Olympic cycle.”

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Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, has cautioned society against hero-worshipping individuals involved in criminal activities.

Magistrate Chibwili made this statement while sentencing Francis Muchemwa, a Patriotic Front cadre known as “Commander 2,” to three years of imprisonment with hard labor.

Muchemwa was also fined K141,400 to be paid to ZESCO Limited as restitution for obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretense.

His two companies were fined K200,000 each.

Muchemwa and his companies, Friltech Networks Zambia Limited and Altitude Properties Limited, faced 10 counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The state prosecution team included Chawezi Nalwenga, Daniel Ngwira, and Annie Bento, while Handson Talanti of the Legal Aid Board represented the defense.

Muchemwa was charged alone in counts one and two regarding properties L/26392/M and L/26395/M in Silverest.

In counts three and four, he was charged with Friltech for properties L/28477/M/H and L/28477/M/J in Silverest. Counts five and six involved two FAW trucks.

In counts seven and ten, Muchemwa and another individual were charged with failing to comply with income tax regulations.

They were acquitted at the no-case-to-answer stage, as was Muchemwa in count eight for tax evasion.

However, in count nine, he was found guilty of obtaining K141,400 in subsistence allowance from Zesco without undertaking official trips.

The prosecution called 13 witnesses to prove the properties were proceeds of crime.

The property surveyor valued the accused’s properties at K10,800,000, while Muchemwa’s total known earnings amounted to K4.1 million, showing a significant disparity.

Muchemwa claimed his revenue was legally earned but failed to provide documentary evidence.

Read More: Muchemwa to know fate July 26, as court concludes hearing on charges of corrupt enrichment

The court found Muchemwa guilty on counts one to seven. Magistrate Chibwili stressed the seriousness of the offenses and the need for deterrent sentences.

Muchemwa received three years of imprisonment for each count, with some counts also carrying fines, all to be served concurrently. The court ordered the K141,400 fine to be paid to Zesco as restitution.

Magistrate Chibwili emphasized: “Our society must stop hero-worshipping. It is time we send a message that only legitimate actions will stand and that crime does not pay.”

The state applied for the forfeiture of properties under the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010. The court reserved its ruling on the forfeiture application until Monday.

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A 26-year-old hairdresser from Mtendere township, Mary Phiri, has been accused of stealing a small handbag valued at K800.

The alleged theft occurred on May 26, 2024, with Phiri reportedly acting with others unknown.

The handbag belonged to Milika Njobvu, and Phiri is accused of using or threatening violence to obtain or retain the bag, resulting in a charge of aggravated robbery.

Read more: Police arrest 49 for vandalizing, stealing property belonging to ZESCO

Phiri appeared before Lusaka Magistrate Twiza Chiyumbe on Thursday and was committed to the High Court for trial.

If found guilty of aggravated robbery, Phiri faces a minimum sentence of 15 years.

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The Copper Queens on Thursday night succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Team USA in their Group B opening fixture at the Paris Olympics.

Trinity Rodman gave the USA a 17th-minute lead with a close-range effort.

Mallory Swanson’s rapid brace within one minute made it even more difficult for Zambia.

The task became impossible when defender Pauline Zulu received a straight red card before the half-hour mark, leaving Zambia with ten players.

Read more: Copper Queens skipper, Banda, among BBC’s elite footballers to watch at Paris Olympics

Initially yellow-carded, a VAR review upgraded Zulu’s penalty, leaving her in tears as teammates consoled her.

Coach Bruce Mwape made a double substitution in the 38th minute, bringing on Esther Muchinga for Grace Chanda and Aveil Chitundu for Prisca Chilufya.

In the second half, skipper Barbra Banda showed promise with her runs but couldn’t break through the American defense.

Despite Zambia’s increased intent, players like Racheal Kundananji struggled to penetrate Team USA’s defense.

Zambia hopes to bounce back when they face Australia on Sunday, July 28.

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Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is no longer in liquidation following the termination of proceedings initiated by ZCCM-IH in the Lusaka High Court.

Receiver Officer, Celine Nair has been discharged as KCM’s provisional liquidator.

In 2019, ZCCM-IH requested the Lusaka High Court to place KCM under liquidation, citing mismanagement, tax evasion, insolvency and failure to pay suppliers and contractors.

Last year, the government, holding a 20 percent stake in KCM through ZCCM-IH, announced that Vedanta would resume control of KCM’s operations, pledging to invest over US$1.2 billion to boost output and settle debts.

Justice Charles Kafunda’s ex parte order dated July 25, 2024, granted leave to withdraw the proceedings and terminated the winding-up process.

Read More: Vedanta nears final takeover of Konkola Mine, reports indicate

The termination followed Vedanta Resources’ payment to 676 creditors, providing USD 250 million as per a High Court decision on June 28, 2024.

The order read: “Leave to withdraw the winding-up petition is hereby granted and the proceedings commenced by the Petitioner are hereby terminated.

The ex parte order dated May 21, 2019, appointing a provisional liquidator over KCM, is hereby vacated forthwith, with Ms. Celine Mena Nair discharged, resulting in the removal of KCM from provisional liquidation and reinstatement of the Board of Directors of the first respondent (KCM).”

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