Copper thieves cornered in Solwezi

———–Police in Solwezi have arrested five people for theft of copper cables valued at K12, 996 from Kalumbila mine.

The five were arrested on Sunday around 15:00 hours in Kisasa area after a tip off from members of the public that there was a vehicle suspected to be carrying stolen goods.

North-western Province Commissioner of Police, Eugene Sibote, said police acted on the tip off and trailed the vehicle.

Mr Sibote identified the five as Charles Wamunyima, commonly known as Shi Mpundu, a notorious Jerabo from the Copperbelt, Daniel Kaundula, Robby Saidi, Victor Chanda and Christon Mweene all employees of Omega Security Company.

He said police managed to recover 216.6 by 70 millimetres of bare copper earth wire, 15.7 meters of armoured cable and 44 kg of copper cable off-cuts from a Toyota mark II registration number ABC 5308 which was being used by Shi Mpundu.

Mr Sibote said the five are in police custody awaiting court appearance.

The regional police command has since appealed to members of the public to continue being alert and reporting any suspicious looking persons.