KITWE YOUTHS TO PETITION GOVT OVER ALLEGED POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AT MINERAL-RICH DUMPSITES

By Michael Kaluba

Some Youths and Women in Kitwe, under the Kopala Mining Multipurpose Cooperative Society, have revealed plans to petition government over alleged political interference in the awarding of mineral rich dumpsites, claiming that some unnamed selfish UPND leaders are hindering their access to the sites.

According to the youth’s representative, Bill Kapinga, the same individuals who allegedly benefited from the infamous black mountain in Kitwe, are currently orchestrating to hijack dumpsites td28 and td52 in Kalulushi at their expense.

The youths say they have an agreement with an Australian Mining Company which holds rights to the two dumpsites but that a upnd aligned cooperative quickly formed and is set to be awarded the two dumpsites while their grouping awaits permission to proceed.

Kopala Mining Multipurpose Cooperative Society have since written to Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba for a permit to walk to Lusaka and deliver a petition to the Mines Minister, Paul Kabuswe over the matter.

According to Mr. Kapinga, his organization, Beautiful Gate Foundation will sponsor this walk and has indicated intentions to proceed to State House to seek President Hakainde Hichilema's intervention if the ministry of mines fails to resolve it.

Efforts to get UPND Kitwe District Chairman Shadrack Chataba over these allegations failed as his mobile phone went unanswered.

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