Victims of Kafue Pollution, Demand $9.7billion Compensation
Over 47 households from Kalulushi’s Kalusale Community have issued a demand letter to Sino Metals, seeking the immediate payment of K220 million as interim compensation to facilitate their relocation, resettlement, medical screening, independent testing, treatment, and livelihood restoration.
The households are also demanding payment of $9.7 billion for the establishment of a Victim and Environmental Compensation and Rehabilitation Fund which will be jointly managed by the government and independent actors, under mutually agreed terms, to cover contingent reparations, as well as medical and psychological assistance for affected victims.
In a letter dated 28th August 2025, issued by Melisa and Partners Legal Partners on behalf of the residents, the residents have also called on Sino Metals to fully comply with the Environmental Restoration Order issued by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) on 21st February 2025.
The residents have warned that failure to meet the demands within 10 days of receiving the letter will result in the commencement of legal proceedings against the company.
The #trio is speaking to a member of the Kalusale community, the worst affected area by the pollution to give us an update on how the situation is.
This is the way to go, Sino metals must be held accountable.
Keep on dreaming,not sure a billion dollar can come out
Well this is an opportunity for the president to ride on and use it to restructure the debt owed to China, mister president sir.
Is the mine owned by the Chinese government…
While the disaster was significant, clarification is needed on how the figure of $9.7 billion was calculated. Is there medical evidence documenting the effects on those affected? For instance, with the $220 million allocation, this equates to approximately $4.7 million per household, or about K11 million per household.Allow the authorities to handle the issue.
Bravo Melisa and partners. Thank you so much for coming to the assistance of the helpless victims and our precious environment. A class action is the way to go and the victims must not relent until they get justice. The rogue companies must be made to realise that they will pay a very high price for their reckless behaviour. We are better off without such investors who ruin our environment and put our lives in danger all for the profit motive.
However, Melissa and partners should not get greedy and grab the lion’s share of the compensation leaving the victims with crumbs. They should get a 10 or 15% cut of the compensation amount. Neither should they abandon the victims as the case progresses and the rogue company offers them a huge bribe to forsake the victims. Our lawyers are notorious for such practices.
Weldone Melisa and Partners.