Leadership crisis engulfs Zambia’s Mine Suppliers Association

A leadership crisis has engulfed the Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC), with members in Kitwe demanding that president Costa Mwaba step down, accusing him of failing to champion their interests and unilaterally reshuffling the association’s leadership.

During a heated meeting chaired by Mwaba at Kitwe’s Katilungu House on Tuesday, members called for the dissolution of the Mwaba-led executive committee, saying it had failed to address their concerns, particularly the lack of business opportunities in the mining sector.

The members also questioned Mwaba’s recent decision to dismiss his deputy, Alistair Kabamba, and appoint Chris Kayombo in his place without consulting other executive members or the wider membership.

Leading the aggrieved members, Sydney Nkowani accused the leadership of turning a blind eye to the challenges facing mine suppliers and contractors at a time when local content opportunities were expected to increase.

“You have failed to provide leadership, the best is step aside and let others lead,” Nkowani said.

The members further accused Mwaba of failing to demand fair business opportunities and timely payments for contractors and suppliers, alleging that the association had used them to gain recognition before abandoning their concerns.

But Mwaba rejected the calls for the dissolution of his executive, arguing that members did not have the authority to remove the leadership under the association’s current constitution.

Mwaba said he held a 51 percent shareholding in the association, which he said had been handed over to him by his predecessor, Augustine Mubanga.

He also said the constitution gave him powers to reshuffle the executive, dismiss members and make appointments.

“I have the powers to reshuffle the executive, fire and make appointments,” Mwaba told the meeting.

He, however, acknowledged that the association needed to review its governance structure, including moving from the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) to the Registrar of Societies.

Mwaba said the association would also need to amend its constitution to address some of the governance concerns being raised by members.

The meeting exposed deep divisions within the association, with members questioning the manner in which the executive is being run and demanding greater accountability and consultation in decisions affecting the membership.

The dispute comes as mine suppliers and contractors seek to benefit from increased opportunities in the mining sector through local content initiatives.

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