The Post reports, "ENVIRONMENTAL Council of Zambia director Edward Zulu has said Mufulira residents affected by water pollution could sue Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) if it is established that the contamination was due to negligence... We need to establish what led to the pump failure. Once we establish it was negligence, we could take direct action first by recommending the improvement of the system slapping penalties on employees involved and if the employees deny being negligent they could be prosecuted and if found liable could face prison sentences of up to three years,” Zulu said.
Readers excited by the emergence of a more aggressive regulator are reminded we saw similar rhetoric following the spill at KCM last year, and then strikingly little action by ECZ which eventually reached an 'amicable settlement' with the ECZ (have a look in the blog archives 30 March 2007 if interested).
Local MP Hon Mukanga suggests popular pressure on the state is the way forward: "We are worried with these investors: they have just come to kill our people. If government does not take any measure against Mopani, I am personally going to sue them,’’ said Mukanga.
In contrast to to Mukanga's focus on MCM, local campaigner Peter Sinkamba of Citizens for a Better Environment, focused on the responsibilities of Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company who, he argues, should have cleaned the contaminated water before supplying it to residents. ‘’If it is to sue, Mulonga should be sued for causing personal injury to people who consumed the water.’’ said Sinkamba.
The report also states that water is now flowing again through cleaned mains pipes.
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