SHIMABALA TIMES NEWS UPDATE

21/08/2025

PETITION TO SHUT DOWN NGWENYA QUARRY DUE TO DUST POLLUTION AND PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARDS

To:
The Director General, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)
The Honourable Member of Parliament,kafue constituency
The District commissioner,Kafue District
The Council Chairperson, Kafue Town Council
The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Green Economy and Environmen

From: Concerned Residents of Kafue and Road Users
Subject: Urgent Call to Shut Down Ngwenya Quarry Until Compliance With Environmental and Safety Regulations

Background

We, the undersigned residents of Kafue and concerned road users, submit this petition to express our grave concern over the continued operations of Ngwenya Quarry. The quarry’s activities have resulted in excessive dust emissions, causing severe health risks, environmental degradation, and dangerous driving conditions along the roads near the quarry.

Our Concerns

1. Health Hazards

Rising cases of respiratory illnesses (asthma, bronchitis, chronic cough).
Eye irritation, skin infections, and long-term risks of silicosis.
Vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions are most at risk.

2. Environmental Damage

Dust settling on crops reduces agricultural productivity and threatens food security.
Soil fertility is being destroyed due to constant dust coverage.
Water bodies risk contamination when dust is washed away by rainfall.
3. Road Safety Threats
Dust clouds drastically reduce visibility, increasing accident risks.
Vehicles and machinery are being damaged by prolonged exposure to dust.

4. Community Welfare

Reduced air quality lowers quality of life for residents.
Local businesses and investment are discouraged due to unsafe conditions.

Questions to Authorities

We demand answers from ZEMA, Kafue Town Council, and the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment:
1. Was an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted before Ngwenya Quarry was licensed?
2, If conducted, where is the report and why has it not been made public?
Were the EIA recommendations followed and enforced?
3, Has ZEMA conducted recent inspections or compliance monitoring of Ngwenya Quarry?
4, Why has the Member of parliament Kafue Town Council leadership remained silent while lives are endangered?
5, Why is profit being prioritized over public health, safety, and the environment?

Our Demands

We, the people of Kafue, hereby demand that:

1. Ngwenya Quarry operations be suspended immediately until full compliance with environmental and safety standards is demonstrated.
2. ZEMA and Kafue Town Council provide a public report on the EIA process, compliance measures, and monitoring actions taken.
3. Independent health and environmental assessments be carried out in the affected communities.
4. A transparent action plan be developed to protect residents, road users, and the environment.

In conclusion

The dust pollution from Ngwenya Quarry is not just an inconvenience; it is a threat to life, safety, and the environment. ZEMA and Kafue leadership cannot continue to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to this crisis.

We therefore call upon the relevant authorities to act urgently in the interest of the people of Kafue.

RCN
Signed

19/08/2025

PETITION TO CHILANGA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL FOR IMPROVED MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE, SANITATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

To: The Chairperson, Chilanga Municipal Council
Cc: Local Members of Parliament, Ministry of Local Government, Community Leaders
From: Residents, Traders, and Stakeholders of Shimabala
Date:19.08.2025]

Subject: Urgent Need for Market Facilities, Sanitation, and Transparent Use of Revenue

Dear Sir/Madam,

We, the undersigned residents, traders, and stakeholders of Shimabala, respectfully submit this petition to express our grave concern over the persistent neglect of basic infrastructure and sanitation facilities at the Shimabala Market, despite the consistent collection of substantial revenue from market levies and local mining activities.

1. Lack of Basic Facilities

The Shimabala Market remains without adequate lighting, clean water, proper toilets, and waste management facilities. These basic amenities are fundamental for the safety, hygiene, and convenience of market users. The absence of lighting exposes traders and customers to accidents, theft, and insecurity, particularly during early morning and late evening trading hours.

2. Sanitation and Public Health Risks

The continued operation of market restaurants and food vendors without access to water and proper sanitation facilities is alarming. The absence of toilets and running water increases the risk of the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and diarrhea, and contributes to an unhygienic environment that endangers both traders and customers. Open defecation and poor waste management further exacerbate these public health hazards.

3. Misallocation of Funds

While millions are collected daily from market levies and mining royalties, these funds are largely directed toward salaries and emoluments, with minimal investment in market infrastructure and basic services for the community. Meanwhile, other areas such as Chilanga town continue to benefit from beautification projects, leaving Shimabala underserved and neglected.

4. Our Petition

In light of the above, we respectfully petition the Chilanga Municipal Council to:

1. Immediately install adequate lighting throughout the Shimabala Market for security and safety.

2. Construct and maintain clean, functional toilets and provide safe water supply for traders, customers, and food vendors.

3. Implement proper waste management and sanitation systems to prevent environmental contamination and reduce the risk of disease.

4. Ensure transparency and accountability in the use of funds collected from Shimabala, including detailed reporting on revenue allocation.

5. Prioritize basic infrastructure, hygiene, and public health needs in the planning and ex*****on of market development projects.

6. Engage residents, traders, and community leaders in meaningful consultations regarding resource allocation and market improvements.

We, the undersigned, urge the Council to treat this petition with the urgency it deserves, as the current state of the market poses serious health, safety, and socio-economic challenges for the people of Shimabala.

Sincerely,
Signed
Lead Petitioner

19/08/2025

So why are you still awake?

09/07/2025

SHIMABALA RESIDENTS REJECT ILLEGAL REVENUE COLLECTION BY CHILANGA COUNCIL IN KABWEZA WARD

Shimabala, Kafue District .
Residents of Shimabala are raising alarm over the continued and unjustified collection of market and mining revenue by Chilanga Town Council in Kabweza Ward, a jurisdiction that legally falls under Kafue Town Council.
Kabweza Ward is fully administered by Kafue Town Council, with all critical services healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure, and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects being sourced from Kafue. The ward councillor also hails from Kafue, further reaffirming the administrative boundary and service obligation.

“It is both illegal and unethical for Chilanga Town Council to collect revenue in an area where it does not provide any services. This is a form of resource hijacking, and it must stop immediately,” said a community representative. “We cannot allow resources from our markets and local mines to be siphoned off to other areas in Chilanga, while Shimabala remains underdeveloped.”

Chilanga Council has previously refused to render services to Kabweza, citing its jurisdiction, which further underscores that any form of revenue collection should only be conducted by Kafue—and in a manner that ensures at least 20% of collected funds are reinvested back into the community.

Shimabala residents are now calling for an urgent resolution. If the confusion and mismanagement continue, both councils must step aside and allow the Ward Development Committee (WDC) to take full charge of revenue collection and reinvestment.

“We are no longer going to watch from the sidelines as our resources are misused. We are demanding transparency, service accountability, and full respect for established administrative boundaries. The people of Shimabala deserve better.”

We wish to make it categorically clear: we shall stand up and defend our area. If need be, we are equal to the task ready to defend our wealth.

07/01/2025

By Brain kayange

Kafue __7 January 2025

Shimabala Ward Councillor John Mikaya went to Inspect Mukando bridge after some heavy rains in the last Four days.

The Bridge was Constructed at the Cost of K670,000 by Road Development Agency (RDA) Under the Ministry of Infrastructure.

In an interview after inspection,the Area Councillor thanked the Office of the Area Member of Parliament Hon Miriam Chonya, Ministry of Infrastructure under the Leadership Hon Charles Milupi and the Office of The Director of Works Kafue Town Council for the gesture and good works.

The Bridge was Handed Over in November 2024

📷📷 Councillor's Office Shimabala Ward
Source CIC Press team-Kafue

07/01/2025

Go well Mr mudima. Kafue mourns your death

07/01/2025

Take not of the areas mentioned to have floods. Kindly start preparing for the floods don't wait for the worst.

20/12/2024

Congratulations UPND for grabbing kawambwa.
Plan B failed am sure now it's plan C .

20/12/2024

Kawambwa Update

54/57 polling stations

UPND - 5,273
NCP - 3,632
SP - 1,123
UPPZ - 119
MA4CE - 50
STN update in kawambwa

20/12/2024

*Kawambwa by elections Results

So far from 49 polling stations out of 57

UPND 5037
TONSE 3479

SMT

14/12/2024

Live in shimabala Kafue District (Lusaka province)
Tell us where you are watching us from as we stream live to the rains after almost 20 days of a dry spill.

Shimabala times

13/12/2024