NKOMBO KACHEMBA, Kitwe
MUFULIRA district commissioner Zakeyo Kamanga has expressed concern over the influx of commercial sex workers in the mining town who are after the retrenched miners’ benefits.
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) recently laid off over 3,000 workers at its Nkana and Mufulira plants as part of Glencore debts reduction strategy.
The retrenched miners have since been paid their retrenchment packages, an additional K18,000 and Christmas bonuses.
Most of the miners who were laid off are from Mufulira and government is scouting for land for them to settle and engage in farming activities.
Mr Kamanga said some of the commercial sex workers are coming from as far as North-Western Province seeking business in the mining town.
“We are told some even booked a Marcopolo bus from North-Western Province to bring them to Mufulira for business ‘opportunities’ immediately they heard that the miners had been paid their money,” he said.
Mr Kamanga said the sex workers have even ganged up and have resorted to beating their rivals, whom they found conducting similar businesses locally.
He, however, said the district administrative office has been offering guidance to the retrenched miners on the need for them to use their retrenchment packages in a prudent manner.
He said Government wants to ensure that the miners start farming activities for them to quickly settle down.