Sample Cases

Public demonstration against KCM over tax

controversyHundreds of protestors marched to the Headquarters of Konkola Copper Mines in Lusaka Thursday afternoon over the recent controversy regarding the mining giant’s tax practices.Zambia’s citizens are up in arms because, if KCM is engaged in tax avoidance, it would be depriving Zambia of vital revenue through taxes and dividend payments to the government. Tax is vital, it pays for schools, hospitals and roads. When big companies don’t pay their fair share, Zambia’s citizens suffer.

http://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/05/30/hundreds-demonstrate-kcm-lusaka-tax-controversy/

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Public demonstration against KCM over tax

controversy• The demonstrations were organised by

ActionAid in Zambia.• The protest follows the YouTube release of a

video of Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal apparently mocking Zambia at a trade conference over the giveaway price he paid for KCM assets.

• In the video, Agarwal said: “We took over the company. It’s been nine years and since then, every year it is giving us a minimum of US$ 500 million plus US$ 1 billion every year…It has continuously been giving back.”

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Public demonstration against KCM over tax

controversyImmediate Outcome:•Public demonstration as a sign of protest.

Expected outcomes:1.Vedanta and KCM must pay their fair share of tax.2.The government to go further than the Zambia Revenue Authority investigation and carry out a forensic audit of KCM accounts and publish the results.3.Transparency is vital to reveal whether Mr Agarwal’s claims are true and whether the Zambian Government needs to act to recover unpaid taxes from the company.

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Public demonstration against KCM over tax

controversy4. Government to introduce legislation to

mandate the Auditor General to audit all mining companies in Zambia.

5. Public to join the SMS action by texting their call to Government to act on the number 5577.

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#BabaWhileYouWereAwayThis tag was developed by KOT to petition Mr. Odinga to act on government’s ills while he was away for 3 months to the US.•It lists a number of genuine concerns by the ‘common people’ popularly referred to as ‘Wanjikus’.•It uses a mix of pictures, videos, text e.t.c•It communicates not just the plight but also the trust and hope that Mr. Odinga has the capacity and will to act.•It is simple and reaches everyone who follow the thread or query's the tag.

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#BabaWhileYouWereAwayImmediate outcomes:1.Odinga got the message: This was is depicted clearly in the content of his speech. http://www.kenya-

today.com/news/amazing-railas-state-nation-address-uhuru-never-read-due-time-constraints.2.Mass rally: A peaceful rally by the Opposition parties to pressure government on the issues was organized and broadcast.3.Petition to government: A petition was sent to govt to hold a joint-dialogue with the Opposition on the issues raised.4.Government Response: President UK in his Madaraka Day speech, next day, accepted the call for dialogue.•Other on-going campaigns include #FreeAJstaff

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