GOVT OFFSIDE ON SALE OF 51 PC IN MOPANI, SAYS HAMUDUDU
GOVERNMENT has been put in an awkward position regarding the sale of 51 percent shares in Mopani Copper Mines because disposal and sale of any government asset need to be approved by Parliament, Party for National Unity and Progress president, Highvie Hamududu has said.
Mr Hamududu said the decision to sale the shares needed Parliament approval.
He advised that the government should do the right thing by presenting the matter, overlooking the law could create problems in near future.
President Hakainde Hichilema on March 21, 2024 officially unveiled International Resources Holding as the new strategic equity partner at Mopani Copper Mines.
Mr Hamududu said legal advisors need to explain why they have put government in such an awkward position because the rightful procedure should have been followed.
“How could someone not see such a provision in the law, I don’t think Parliament was going to be difficult to support the bringing of an equity partner, people on the Copperbelt have been protesting the non-performance of the mines and things that would make them functional again would be supported by all Zambians,” he said.
He said Article 210 (2) of the constitution of Zambia states that a government asset shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed off as prescribed subject to approval of the National Assembly signified by a vote of at least two third of the members of Parliament.
Mr Hamududu however said the use of the word prescribed in the Article meant that the 2016 amended constitution was not operationalised to the fullest.
He said when it says as prescribed there should have been an elaborate subsidiary legislation to put the details to spell out the process.
Mr Hamududu has since urged the Ministry of Justice to re-look on the Article.