JOIN DRIVERN TAXI AS PARTNER DRIVER TODAY!
120 tonnes of Mukula logs seized in Mpika District
Mpika, October 4th , 2014, ZANIS —- HE ZAMBIA Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) in Mpika District of Muchinga Province has intercepted 120 tonnes of Mukula logs making it the largest single seizure in the last few weeks.
And Mpika District Commissioner Catherine Chileshe says it is disappointing that some
And ZAWA Mpika Officer – in- Charge Voster Mweene told Muchinga Permanent Secretary Dr. Ngándu that they intercepted the trucks and arrested several suspects in Chiundaponde area following a tip off from members of the public.
Government workers and security officers are abetting criminals instead of assisting the Government in find a lasting solution to the illegal harvesting of Mukula trees.
K40, 000 cash, K20, 500 cheque in the name of Martin Singogo and 16 suspects who includes 2 Tanzanians and one Congolese and a Zambian master mind identified as Bernard Chipalila of Serenje in Central Province have also been arrested and detained at Mpika Police station.
ZAWA has also impounded three foreign Scania trucks with containers from Tanzania and two back – up Zambian registered vehicles in the infamous Mukula timber deal that has also implicated two police officers and a forestry officer.
ZANIS reports that Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Bwalya Ngándu has confirmed the development in an interview in Mpika District , today.
Dr. Bwalya who physically visited the scene of crime in Chibakabaka area of Chief Chiundaponde about 145 km from the boma, commended ZAWA for moving in swiftly the intercept trucks and arrest people illegally harvesting Mukula in the reserved forests.
The Permanent Secretary said that there is need to get to the bottom of the case and ensure that big people behind this deal are brought to book.
Dr. Bwalya has warned that his administration is determined to bring to an end the illegal harvesting of Mukula tree and warned all those involved that they will not be spared once arrested.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary is also saddened at the level the country is losing its forests through indiscriminate cutting down of trees and has since called for concerted efforts in the conservation of the natural resources.
And Mpika District Commissioner Catherine Chileshe says it is disappointing that some Government workers and security officers are abetting criminals instead of assisting the Government in find a lasting solution to the illegal harvesting of Mukula trees.
Ms. Chileshe warned that she will not rest until all those involved in the latest seizure of Mukula timber are brought to book and prosecuted.
She also commended ZAWA officers for being vigilant and recommended that all the officers who took part in the dawn operation being motivated in one way or another.
And ZAWA Mpika Officer – in- Charge Voster Mweene told Muchinga Permanent Secretary Dr. Ngándu that they intercepted the trucks and arrested several suspects in Chiundaponde area following a tip off from members of the public.
Mr. Mweene said investigations carried out by his officers have revealed that illegal cutting down of trees in Chibakabaka has been going on for some time.
