Desperate UPND MP apologises over unresolved Mopani issue
By Kombe Chimpinde Mataka
MUFULIRA UPND member of parliament Heartson Mabeta took to Facebook to apologise to the people of Mufulira that what he had hoped concerning Mopani Copper Mines had not happened.
This was after a meeting at Shinde Stadium where President Hakainde Hichilema met miners who were expectant over the issue of MCM that was previously run by Glencore.
“Today has not been what I had hoped will be like,” he wrote. “Since President Hakainde Hichilema is the Head of State hence he is exposed to more intelligent information than I am and he is more wiser than I am, I am personally taking the blame for the pain and disappointment I have subjected the people of Mufulira to today.”
Mabeta, who seems to have expected a great pronouncement on Mopani from the President, asked the people of Mufulira to understand his desperate situation.
“Please find space in your heart to understand my desperation to close the transaction for Mopani for the benefit of our people in Mufulira,” wrote Mabeta. “It’s not over until we get done. Limbi (maybe) one day fikapanga (it will make) sense . Uwaingila mu mushitu, tomfwa inswaswa (One who embarks on a mission should not pay much attention to risks)!”
Earlier at the meeting characterised by rain showers, President Hichilema said he had heard people’s concerns.
“Pertaining to KCM and Mopani Mine tulebombelapo mukwai (we are working on it). Bwangu bwangu, very soon we will close the transactions. We are aware of the challenges that the workers there are facing. We are aware of the challenges those who depend on the mines are facing and it is our duty, that is why you elected us into office, to address those issues,” he said.
President Hichilema said the challenges of the people in Mufulira was also connected to the roads.
“You were being told that government borrowed money to build roads. Shilikwisa imisebo (where are the roads)?” he asked. “We are working on the roads and as you know the Chingola-Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa road is now being worked on. And last week we signed up a contract to do the dual carriage (way), Ndola-Lusaka road. Our friends borrowed a lot of money [but] the road was not done. We are going to do the road at half the cost and we will do it properly. No loan, nothing, zero but the road will be done. Ingenuity! Kubomfya amano (you use brains). Ati ukuteka imbwa nishani? Mano (For you to tame a dog what does it take? Brians)”
President Hichilema said his government was also in the process of concluding a tender to build the Ndola-Mufulira road.
“We are also working on Sakania border, Mokambo border, Kasumbalesa border, Kipushi border,” he said.
President Hichilema said the UPND had real work to do and was not playing.