IMENDA DISMISSES CORPORATE CAPTURE ALLEGATIONS The UPND has dismissed as false and irresponsible allegations by Global Witness that the party and President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA are under corporate capture. UPND Secretary General BATUKE IMENDA says the party is founded on strong principles and that its government is guided by the rule of law and democratic governance. […]

IMENDA DISMISSES CORPORATE CAPTURE ALLEGATIONS

The UPND has dismissed as false and irresponsible allegations by Global Witness that the party and President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA are under corporate capture.

UPND Secretary General BATUKE IMENDA says the party is founded on strong principles and that its government is guided by the rule of law and democratic governance.

Mr. IMENDA says these are values the UPND and President HICHILEMA will not abandon.

He has also rejected claims by Global Witness that First Quantum Minerals is financing the UPND, describing the allegations as an attempt to damage President HICHILEMA’s reputation ahead of next month’s elections.

Mr. IMENDA has urged Global Witness to refrain from making what he described as false allegations aimed at disadvantaging the UPND presidential candidate.

He claimed the organisation’s assertions are politically motivated because President HICHILEMA is on course for a decisive election victory.

In a statement issued, Mr. IMENDA said the will of the Zambian people cannot be influenced by what he described as falsehoods being circulated by Global Witness.

He said amendments to mining legislation were intended to attract investment into the sector and that the objective has been achieved.

According to Mr. IMENDA, investment in the mining sector has risen to more than US$5 billion over the past four years, creating 23,265 jobs as a result of Government policy reforms.

He said the increased investment has contributed to economic recovery, with improvements in key indicators, including inflation and the exchange rate.

Mr. IMENDA added that the mining sector has been revitalised, leading to thousands of jobs being created, particularly in North-Western and Copperbelt provinces.

He said the UPND was elected on a platform of economic growth and job creation and that Government is delivering on those commitments.

Mr. IMENDA further alleged that Global Witness had either produced a flawed investigation or presented its findings in a politically biased manner, raising questions about the organisation’s credibility.

He said the UPND remains committed to constitutionalism ahead of the August 13 elections and pledged that the party will continue pursuing its development agenda.