SALE OF MOPANI WITHOUT PARLEY APPROVAL ILLEGAL, SAYS M’MEMBE
SOCIALIST Party president Fred M’membe says President Hakainde Hichilema has violated the constitution by selling 51 percent shares owned by ZCCM-IH in Mopani to Delta Mining without approval of the National Assembly.
Dr M’membe said Article 210(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia states that a major State asset shall be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, as prescribed, subject to the approval of the National Assembly signified by a vote of at least two-thirds of the
Members of Parliament.
He said for the purposes of this Article, "major State asset" includes a parastatal and equity held by the government, as prescribed.
“It's beyond dispute that Mr Hakainde Hichilema has sold Mopani Copper Mines to Delta Mining without approval of the National Assembly and therefore in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr Hichilema has sold 51 percent shares of the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) in Mopani
Copper Mines, to Delta Mining Limited of Dubai without the approval of Parliament as required by the Constitution.
Why didn't Mr Hichilema seek the approval of Parliament? Was this deliberate or simply an oversight,” Dr M’membe said.
He said “The truth is Mr Hichilema knew very well that he didn't have the twothirds parliamentary majority required to approve such a sale. So, he decided to circumvent the National Assembly and get his way. Dr M’membe said this breach of the constitution by Mr Hichilema is not without very serious consequences, it is an impeachable offence.
“What's wrong with Mr Hichilema? Why does he have problems doing things the right way,” he said.