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Companies

Despite publicly naming Nyimba and African Milling as being found wanting for underweight Millie meal after the surveillance, the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) has shielded and refused to name five (5) other companies that were found wanting for the first half of 2022.

However ZMA could only confirm that from the first quarter till date, five (5) companies whose pre-packaged products and measuring instruments were inspected were found wanting for compliances, and corrective action was taken in accordance with the law.

When asked why other companies have been named while others were named and information was made public, Chola Chilumba, the public relations officer stated that he could not name them due to the sensitivity of the matter.

He stated that the non-compliances were on packages such as mealie-meal, tile fix, peanut butter, and measuring instruments such as weighing scales among others. ZMA has for the year-to-date inspected three hundred thirty-three (333) companies for compliance of measuring instruments and Pre-packaged commodities.

Chilumba said for locally produced pre-packaged commodities, ninety-eight thousand five hundred and forty-three (98,543) products were inspected and recorded ninety-three percent (93%) compliance. The Agency also inspected seventy-three thousand and twenty-one (73,021) imported pre-packaged commodities and recorded ninety-eight percent (98%) compliance.

He told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, that in line with its mandate, the Agency undertook market surveillance of four thousand three hundred and forty-nine (4,349) pre-packaged commodities and recorded a ninety-two percent (92%) year to date.

He further added that Clients were engaged to enhance their internal quality control systems to ensure the measurements were accurate and consistent. Those found with inadequate packages were directed to repackage the products and also amend their inadequate labelling in cases where the labelling was non-compliant.

And he revealed that to strengthen these controls, the Agency has put in place enhanced sensitization programmes to train and re-emphasize the significance of adhering to the Metrology Regulations.

He said the Agency continues to focus on its core operational areas of Maintaining national standards and traceability to the International System of units, Providing calibration of process and quality control measuring instruments, Verifying measuring instruments used in commercial transaction law enforcement, health, safety and environmental management.

The Statutory inspections of measuring instruments and pre-packaged commodities in the sectors and sub-sectors of Petroleum Sub-Sector, Agriculture Sector, Mining Sector and Manufacturing Sector is one of the focuses of the Agency, he stated.

Analyst say there is no law that mandates ZMA to hold Information away from the public on which companies are found wanting. It actually defeats the purpose of the Agency if they fail to name then companies and products that are found wanting.

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Despite publicly naming Nyimba and African Milling

Tech

Energy Minister Chibwe Kapala has vowed to continue with monthly fuel price adjustments despite key stakeholders feedback that it’s not working and is making business planning a at both business and household level a nightmare.

Key stakeholders such as the Buss and Taxi Owners Association, Association of Oil marketing Companies, Business Owners and members of the public have told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that monthly fuel adjustments is not working well.

Consumers argue that the monthly adjustment are disruptive with those having school going children as well as those consumers who use public and even private transport are struggling to manage their expense budgets.

Business owners on the other hand say its disruptive in the pricing of their finals products which needs transport and logistics costs to be absorbed in the selling prices. This is leading to general price adjustments almost on a monthly basis and for those with pricing power, they end up increasing prices to carter for anticipated future fuel price increases.

They argue that Business planning as well as business financial projections have become increasingly difficult even on a quarterly basis, a situation that is worsening the already increased cost of living.

But Energy Minister Kapala and the Energy Regulation Board insist that monthly price adjustments are needed siting concerns on debt accumulation if a quarterly or a longer cycle of review is put in place.

Kapala In a statement posted on his facebook page and seen by ZBT stated that “we have no plans to revert to previous ways of adjusting fuel prices after months, as that makes it hard to manage the debts owed to oil marketing companies and doesn’t make the pump price to be cost-reflective”.

A check however reveals that the Ministry has retained and extended the policy of waiving value added tax – VAT, import duties and excise duties by extending the statutory instrument that the new dawn government inherited. This in itself is an indirect subsidy and represents lost tax and non tax revenue to government.

Moreover, the Ministry is yet to conduct an official industry and consumer research to generate empirical evidence and inform their stand to continue with monthly fuel price reviews and adjustment. It remains to be seen how sustainable and who eventually will profit on the insistence to keep this policy.

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Energy Minister Chibwe Kapala has vowed to

Uncategorized

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo says all the individuals legitimately operating mobile money booths that have been asked to move from undesignated areas around the Central Business District of Lusaka will be compensated.

Speaking during a media briefing attended by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, where he addressed booth owners and the media on issues surrounding the uprooting of booths erected in undesignated areas, Nkombo said everyone registered with the local authority and a Mobile Network Operator-MTN, Airtel or Zamtel will be relocated to new trading areas.

Nkombo said it has been agreed with the Mobile Money Business Association of Zambia and Mobile Network Operators that for now, the mobile money business trading lane in Lusaka will be between the interface of the post office and the Zambia Railways Line upto Findeco House adding that all booth designs will be standardized in the near future.

He explained that one of the reasons for carrying out this exercise is to harmonize the data base between the service providers and the local authority for the optimization of revenue collection and to make sure that the revenue is going to the correct institution which is the local authority.

The Minister noted that in the past, there was disorder in the allocation of mobile money booths due to political influence adding that the designation of where money booths were to be established became a function of political players and not the council.

“Many of these booths have been operated by landlords who basically collect rent and there are cartels that were established around this business. We want to increase financial inclusion by broadening and making the process transparent so that more Zambians can get the benefit of engagement with this business”, he said.

Nkombo said the UPND government is working towards ensuring that order is restored and the sector is reorganised noting that there will be sizable disturbance in the business but no individuals will be allowed to establish mobile money booths anyhow as it was before in Lusaka as a starting point or any other parts of the country.

He noted that this development is not only for Lusaka but the entire country as government envisages to clean and bring sanity to the whole country.

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Minister of Local Government and Rural Development

Tech

The Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia – ICTAZ has disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – that the trend which the country is witnessing of violent, sexual and hateful incidences may be resulting from un-controlled and un-monitored usage of the internet and smart phones which have detrimental and long term negative effects on Children.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times –ZBT, ICTAZ President Clement Sinyangwe said being exposed to inappropriate content on the internet at a tender age is not good for the little ones as the internet contains uncontrolled mind corrupting content that may in the end affect their morality.

Sinyangwe said Children  are inquisitive by nature and exposing them to the inappropriate content by unrestricted or uncontrolled use of the internet make them vulnerable to illicit online activities that include frauds, perverted sexual content and scams. Due to their inquisitive nature, uncontrolled access will lead children to further explore and try out what they are exposed to.

The ICTAZ President said parents have the huge role to play in ensuring that they monitor what their kids are doing on the smart phones , tablets and other electronic devices given to them that have internet or external communication access.

He noted that most parents are fond of giving their kids smart phones with internet access at a tender age and also giving them the unregulated internet which he termed to not good idea. This practice should be avoided and if it is to be done, then it has to be controlled by linking the kid’s devices to the parents so that they are alert on what their kids do or are doing.

“Ensure that you monitor your child’s social media use and be aware of the types of websites they are visiting and the games they are playing online. Set up parental controls on computers, smartphones, and tablets to block inappropriate websites and apps.” He urged parents and guardians.

Sinyangwe stated that a long time ago, People could have used the internet to share positive and educative stuff instead of sharing dark internet content which has a harmful impact on the psychology, especially on kids. He also appealed to the general citizenry to be responsible in the way they use these platforms as they are laws towards the practice.

Some parents resort to giving their children or wards smart phones for various reasons such as due to their busy schedules and to keep their children engaged but this is only exposing them to accessing dark internet content which in the end is resulting in some of the violent crimes, suicides and harmful psychological effects.

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The Information and Communications Technology Association of

Markets

Lilian Simwinga, a Lusaka resident has sued her ex-employer – Zambia National Commercial Bank [Zanaco] for failing to honour a contract by holding onto a certificate of title for a house that the plaintiff bought from the bank or that the court orders the bank to refund K1.5 million as refund.

Details of the matter are that Simwinga who was an employee of Zanaco was offered to purchase a house by way of a mortgage which was priced at K95, 000 located in Lilanda Estate No.62 Fir Avenue Lusaka. The house initially belonged to Phield Musonda who had defaulted on a loan giving chance to the plaintiff to buy the house.

Through a contract of sale dated 24 July 2006, the plaintiff purchased the property known as Stand No.62 Fir Avenue Lilanda Estate, Lusaka from Phield Musonda and under Clause 2 of the contract of sale Simwinga’s advocates for the transaction was legal counsel for the defendant.

According to a statement of claim and court documents availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, in March 2020 the plaintiff was retired and the defendant deducted the mortgage balance from her retirement package thus leaving her with no outstanding amount due for the property.

However,it has been almost 2 years since the plaintiff’s retirement and outstanding balance deducted from her retirement package but the certificate of title has not been released to the plaintiff despite not having any outstanding amount on the property.

Because of the aforesaid reasons, the plaintiff has suffered loss and now claims an order of specific performance that the defendant completes the conveyance transaction within 30 days so that the Certificate of Title relating to Stand No.62 Fir Avenue Lilanda, Lusaka is registered in the plaintiff’s names.

Simwinga who is the plaintiff claims that “In the alternative, an offer to the plaintiff of another property at the current market value and an order that the defendant pays the plaintiff the amount of K1,500 000 being the refund for the K95, 000 initially paid for the property adjusted for inflation”.

The plaintiff is also claiming damages for loss of use of the Certificate of Title for the period March 2020 to date, damages for inconvenience, any other relief that the court may deem fit and interest on all amount found due and costs of these proceedings.

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Lilian Simwinga, a Lusaka resident has sued

Agribusiness

Tobacco, a crop that Zambia records about 90% of it’s total production as exports has recorded a drop in production of about 20%. This has been confirmed by the Tobacco Board of Zambia-TBZ which disclosed that the production of tobacco for the year 2021/2022 has gone down.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, TBZ Chief Executive Officer-CEO James Kasongo said this year’s tobacco production stands at about 37 million kgs (37,000 tons), down from about 45,000 tons recorded the previous year.

Kasongo noted that the decrease in production can be attributed to the adverse weather conditions in the key tobacco producing areas. Tobacco production had increased by about 50% from 30 million kilograms (Kgs) (30,000 tons) in 2019/2020 agricultural season to 45,000 tons in the 2020/2021 season.

Kasongo said there was a lot of private sector investment in tobacco in 2020 which had not been the case in 2021. He added that the industry had new entrants in 2020 who invested heavily in terms of promoting out-grower tobacco production at community level and this resulted in increased number of tobacco growers in response to the demand.

He explained that the conducive environment and weather also made it possible for farmers to increase production and the new Act that the Ministry of Agriculture was working on will only compliment and help realise the country’s vision of improving the tobacco industry.

The TBZ CEO also attributed the increase in tobacco production to the high demand on the international market adding that the increase in production would earn the country the much needed foreign exchange as the tobacco produced in Zambia is mostly destined for the export market.

He noted that 90% of the tobacco produced in Zambia is exported, which means that export prices will be able to support local farmers to get better prices adding that the quality of tobacco produced in 2021 is also very good, meaning that farmers got better prices after its graded.

“Before, it was very difficult for you to trace tobacco from a farmer up to the market and that way Zambia was sometimes losing tobacco to neighboring countries through unofficial vending and site selling, but now, we have put in place an electronic system that can trace a farmer from production to marketing. The booking system is also electronic meaning, whatever crop of tobacco is produced in Zambia is not pilfered out to other countries”, he said.

Kasongo said there is need to encourage local farmers to enter into irrigated tobacco growing which will help them escape the effects of adverse weather in case there is a drought as well as increase productivity. Zambia still remains behind in tobacco production even by its Neighbours such as Malawi and Zimbabwe.

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Tobacco, a crop that Zambia records about

Companies

After confirming product underweight findings, the Zambia Metrology Agency – ZMA has revealed that the agency will not only stop at Nyimba and African Milling, it will extend the probe and continue to undertake inspection of other pre-packaged products across the country.

ZMA public relations manager Chola Chilumba said the public should be rest assured that the agency will not only concentrate on mealie meal inspections but inspections across other packaged product lines like cooking oil, sugar among others were concerns are being raised.

In an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Chilumba disclosed that the recent findings  of underweight products by Nyimba and African milling companies was not only through the market surveillance, but the agency also paid a visit at their milling plants.

Chilumba confirmed that it was only after the market surveillance that Africa Milling and Nyimba were found wanting. “It was after checking their products in stores that we found the underweight products but a check for underweight products at their milling plant were complaint”.

Milling and other packaging companies have been accused by members of the public of resorting to selling underweight products to increase their margins at the expense of unsuspecting customers. The public has since been urged to be alert and report all suspected cases of underweighting by some unscrupulous businesses.

On 6th of July 2022, ZMA directed Nyimba Milling Limited and African Milling to withdraw and recall their underweight bags of mealie meal from the market. ZMA has since penalized the two milling companies for distributing the stipulated underweight mealie meal bags but the penalty fees were not revealed.

Meanwhile the two companies, African Milling and Nyimba Millers Limited companies have indicated that they have since instituted inquiries into reports of underweight bags of mealie meal found on the market by the Zambia Metrology Agency. However, efforts to get details on what actions have been taken proved futile by press time.

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After confirming product underweight findings, the Zambia

Companies

Both Costain Chilala and Munakupya Hantuba have refused to officially comment over allegations that they have illegally acquired shares in Mazabuka’s Kaleya Small holders Company limited – KASCOL which has resulted in six families being evicted and expelled from the estate.

Chilala who is of Chimsoro Commercial Farms proprietor as well as board Chairman for Kaleya Smallholder Company limited-KASCOL and Hantuba who is a business executive associated with Aflife Financial services have had wrangles with the smallholder farmers over unfair share allocations by the two.

When contacted by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Chilala said “I don’t go into newspapers myself over those things, that business thing is for the company [KASCOL] not for me”, he stated before abruptly cutting the call. He stated hungrily that he shouldn’t be enticed into press discussions without obtaining permission from the board.

Further efforts to engage his counterpart Muna Hantuba on the same matter proved futile by press time as he claimed to be help up in meetings. Hantuba was initially tipped as the best pick for Finance Minister under the Hichilema presidency but was passed over for the more experience Situmbeko Musokotwane.

Some of the affected families and other concerned Kaleya estates residents have told the Zambian Business Times that both Chilala and Hantuba are using their connections to high offices in the current government to push out all small holder farmers that are opposed to what they have described as illegal share grabbing.

The small holder farmers have also told ZBT that their efforts to take the matter to the area member of parliament and local government minister Garry Nkombo has not yielded any progress. The small holder farmers stated that the local government minister also confirmed that he can not help them and challenged them to go to court, a process which requires lawyers whom they can not afford to hire as court cases take long to settle.

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Both Costain Chilala and Munakupya Hantuba have

Companies

A financial expert has charged that the delay and failure to significantly liquidate arrears owned to local suppliers and contractors by government has led to the current reduction in the flow of money (no money in circulation) in the Zambian economy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Financial expert Bright Chizondwe said government has not liquidated most of the arrears owed to most of the local suppliers, which has effectively locked the financial flows locally.

When asked on the amount which Konkola Copper Mines – KCM has released for local suppliers, the financial economist has however said the $2 million set aside by Konkola Copper Mine KCM to dismantle debt owed to contractors and local suppliers, will help improve the cashflow and liquidity on the Copperbelt in the short term.

He said that if released, the $2 million will help the companies to pay back the loans which they might have gotten from the banks in order for them to survive. Some of the companies have even defaulted The Financial economist said this does not however mean that the country should cerebrate as the money was owed to these companies and is not enough to significantly clear the backlog.

“So it is not something that we should be excited about per say, because this is actually money owed to these companies and they were supposed to pay these funds a long time ago, but it is good that they have decided to set aside some money and to clear off some of the arrears.” He said.

He explained that the amount will not have a significant impact on the economy as it is a small amount for the growing economy like for Zambia. The minister of Finance has announced the appointment of auditors to verify the local debt while no audit or verification had been done for foreign debt.

Most local businesses and those in the informal sector have told ZBT that there is general dampened demand for products as well complaints of no money in circulation, resulting in businesses posting low revenues. Moreover, fuel price increases which are now done on a monthly basis has further exacerbated the harsh economic environment.

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A financial expert has charged that the

Mining

A Bishop and Overseer at the Life Giving Word Ministries of Chingola has charged that those that are opposing the return of Vedanta are misinformed, or do not know what is on the ground or have been paid, that is why they can’t make informed decisions.

The Bishop accused those that are opposed to the return of Vedanta of being oiled or bribed as this view is mainly peddled by the opposition voices to the ruling UPND government. The return of Vedanta has been controversial and the option of Zambians running the mine through ZCCM IH seem to have been abandoned by the new board led by Dolika Banda.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Bishop Ellison Bwalya said that there are some people that he cannot disclose who are also calling for the return of Vedanta.

The Chingola Bishop said he has spoken to a number of people on the matter and a lot of members of the general public are scared to come out in the open and back the return of Vedanta because they are under oath and fear losing their Jobs.

An Church Overseer Stated that the community of Chingola are the ones who should be consulted and their views taken on board. Most Chingola residents would be in a better position if they had Vedanta back to take over the operations of KCM.

Bishop Bwalya said the court process is taking too long for Konkola Copper Mine – KCM to reopen which has affected the business and social environment in Chingola and the country at large. The overseer who also intends to supply clothes to KCM employees once fully operational told ZBT that business is not picking up as there are no supply jobs being given to local businesses.

He has since challenged the new dawn government to bring back Vedanta as soon as possible adding that ignoring Vedanta will be costly as it may take long for the court processes to get concluded and arrive at judgement that would be equitable for key stakeholders. He said the country losing out now that the copper prices are at the all time high.

“The sooner the new dawn government bring in Vedanta the better as most the communities in Chingola are suffering. There are also people accusing those that are behind calls for the return of Vedanta of having been oiled (bribed) by the government or Vedanta, but what about those that are opposing, have they also been paid by the opposition? Or other sponsors? Bishop Bwalya questioned.

Vedanta has been heavily opposed following its chairman demeaning remarks against Zambia’s leaders who were said to have been duped into selling the mine at giveaway prices. Moreover, Vedanta had a terrible reputation with delayed payments to local suppliers and contractors. The Zambian government and tax authorities also accused the company of not paying adequate taxes and reporting perpetual loses to lower their tax liabilities.

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A Bishop and Overseer at the Life