Metro

South Africa President in big trouble as ruling ANC members join anti-Ramaphosa rally

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2022

Embattled South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has found himself in more troubled waters as members of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), joined a protest against him demanding his resignation amid calls for a new president.

The over 300 protesters, mostly ANC members, marched through Johannesburg and major streets in the country’s economic hub to deliver a list of demands at the ruling party’s headquarters on Friday.

Some of the demands contained in the list include the rising cost of living, fuel-price hikes, incessant power cuts and rampant corruption in state institutions.

But at the top of the protesters’ demands for the removal of Ramaphosa is a growing discontent with a plethora of personal scandals including allegations of a cover up if the theft of over $4m hidden in his Phala Phala Wildlife farm.

Ramaphosa was last month, accused by former intelligence chief, Arthur Fraser, of covering up the theft by enlisting the aid of Namibian officials and his personal security detail, who were also accused of kidnapping and torturing the thieves.

The organiser of the march, Carl Niehaus, who is a senior member of the disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKVA), a group that represented veterans of the anti-apartheid military wing of the ANC, while addressing journalists, said it was “the first of many protests to come”.

“This march is the result of a deep unhappiness with a president who has failed his country and has revealed himself to conduct himself in a criminal manner.

“In any other democratic society, he would have been removed already. As ANC members, we don’t have another option. We demand accountability from the leadership that is why this march is significant, the ANC members are saying enough is enough,” he said.

According to him, the disgruntled members of the ANC will form a committee representing members from all nine South African provinces, and they are giving the national executives of the ANC “seven days to meet and discuss the removal of President Ramaphosa.”

Click to comment

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

14 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.