By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urge government to immediately institute a committee of experts to conduct a financial audit at Konkola Copper Mines KCM.
According to statement made available to the media today,NDC Secretary General Mwenya Musenge stated that revelations by Tianjin Maolian Science and Technology company limited that KCM has been exporting colbat to the firm has exonerated the NDC.
Mr Musenga stated that NDC is not surprised that KCM has in the last few months exported colbat to China worth over 1. 5 billion united states dollars
He disclosed that a committee of financial experts be appointed from qualified officers drawn from the Financial Intellegence Center, the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Security Agencies and the Zambia Revenue Authority.
He noted that the party is of the view that KCM is not only evading the payment of taxes but it may be involved in other sophisticated financial crimes.
“As NDC, we are disturbed that the mining conglomerate has been exporting cobalt illegally to China without the full knowledge of Government.
In March this year, we raised alarm that KCM was illegally exporting cobalt to China and Government brushed off our concerns,” he said.
He stated the Zambia Revenue Authority ZRA should clearly explain the illicit financial flows at KCM.
“As a party, we are aware that the ZRA constituted a Mineral Monitoring Team, which unit, tracks and monitors the activities of mining firms.The terms of reference of this team are very clear, as the unit was established to ensure transparency and accountability in the export of metals,” he said.
Mr Musenge further stated that the development that KCM has been exporting colbat to China, unnoticed is inconceivable and opens up room for speculation.
He urge Government to ensure that KCM immediately pays all the taxes accrued from the illegal sale of colbat.
Mr Musenge noted that KCM has taken the Zambian people for granted adding that KCM can do anything with impunity without being reprimanded by Government.
He wondered why government is failing to remove KCM from doing business in the country and has since called for those involved to be fired.
