Development Education Community Project (DeCoP) has paid […]

Development Education Community Project (DeCoP) has paid tribute to Zambia’s late former Vice President, Dr. Guy Lindsay Scott, recognizing his pivotal role in addressing mining-related environmental pollution in Butondo Township and Kankoyo in 2012.

DeCoP Director, Charles Kombe Mulila, described Dr. Scott as a leader passionate about community protection, especially in areas affected by mining activities in Mufulira. In an interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Mulila recalled Dr. Scott’s personal intervention when communities suffered from environmental hazards caused by mining operations.

“He was the one who actually facilitated the visitation to Butondo Township and stopped Mopani and Glencore who were leaching copper near the township. That pollution was very rampant because they were using acid to extract copper,” Mulila stated.

Dr. Guy Lindsay Scott, born on June 1, 1944, and passing away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 82, served as Zambia’s 12th Vice President under President Michael Sata from 2011 to 2014. Following Sata’s death, he made history as Africa’s first white head of state in over two decades, overseeing a peaceful constitutional transition as acting president. Before joining the Patriotic Front, Dr. Scott served as Minister of Agriculture within the MMD government and played a crucial role in managing the 1992/93 drought.

 He later helped found the Patriotic Front, represented Lusaka Central, and held the vice presidency until 2014. In his later years, he aligned with the United Party for National Development (UPND). Beyond his national roles, Dr. Scott was widely recognized for championing environmental protection, agriculture, and community development, particularly in mining-affected regions.

Mulila highlighted Dr. Scott’s efforts to facilitate compensation for affected residents and the establishment of cooperatives through Citizens for a Better Environment to support livelihoods and environmental restoration.

Mulila also recounted Dr. Scott’s involvement in the pollution crisis in Kankoyo Township, where he commissioned investigations and intended to declare the area a disaster zone to enable the relocation of affected residents. “I really appreciate what he did for the people of Mufulira. He was waiting for the report after investigations and had assured us that Kankoyo would be declared a disaster area before political developments interrupted the process,” Mulila said.

 Dr. Scott’s unwavering commitment to protecting mining communities from environmental degradation remains a defining legacy of his public service. “He will be greatly remembered for standing with the people of Mufulira when they needed leadership the most,” Mulila concluded.

Article by Phillip Sinkala