By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
BAILIFFS yesterday seized Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)’s property in Chingola and barred miners from entering the mine plant in the morning.
This was over a K1.6 million debt the mining giant owes the Chingola Municipal Council (CMC) and to which a court order was issued to seize property to compel KCM settle the debt.
Among the property seized by the under-sheriff were five trucks laden with cobalt and other KCM vehicles.
CMC assistant public relations manager George Sichimba and Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Joseph Chewe confirmed the development in separate interviews.
Mr Sichimba said the debt arose when KCM in August this year engaged a consultant to evaluate their property after the mining firm suspected the council to have been over-charging them.
He said the consultant put the monthly rate value of KCM property at K250,000 from the actual K810,000 and following that, the company obtained an injunction restraining the council from collecting the rates.
“The case went to court and the matter was ruled in favour of the council and this was how a court order was issued to seize property to compel KCM to pay the debt,” Mr Sichimba said.
Mr Sichimba said the property rates debt at the time was K1.6 million.
He said it was in view of this that the under-sheriff at the weekend swung into action seizing property belonging to KCM.
“This morning, five trucks laden with cobalt and other KCM vehicles were seized by the under-sheriff,” Mr Sichimba said.
He said a meeting involving KCM management, the council and officers from the office of the sheriff was convened, where KCM was given up to 16:00 hours to settle the debt.
Mr Chewe said scores of miners at Nchanga plant were in the morning barred from entering the plant because of the debt arising from non-payment of rates.
He, however, said miners were allowed to enter the plant after about two hours.