THE saga involving the mining of Sugilite mineral ore in Luapula province has taken another twist with 19 people, among them the recently fired Minister and Northern province police commanding officer Gloria Mulele arrested.
In a media statement issued, police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga disclosed that the 19 who also include United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres have been arrested and charged for carrying out mining operations without a license and conveying property reasonably to have been unlawfully acquired.
Mr Hamoonga said brief facts of the matter are that the 19 are alleged to have between the January 4, 2023 and February 13, 2023 mined 23 tonnes of Sugilite Mineral Ore without a license in Muombe Mine area of Chembe District of Luapula Province and later conveyed it from Chembe to Kapiri Mposhi district.
“Police in Mansa have jointly arrested and charged nineteen people for two offences of Carrying out mining operations without a License contrary to Section 12 (1) and (3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Act No.11 of 2015 and Conveying property reasonably to have been unlawfully acquired Contrary to Section 319 of the Penal Code Act Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga said those arrested are former Minister and Nchanga Member of Parliament Derrick Chilundika 47, a police Commissioner for Northern Province Ms Gloria Cheelo Mulele aged 57, Luapula province UPND youth chairperson Nelson Kalembwe aged 43, Jones Nkandu aged 32 a UPND Provincial youth leader.
Jerry Justin Bwalya aged 47 Acting UPND Provincial Chairperson, Obbrey Simauki aged 42 a Provincial UPND Youth Secretary, Royd Mwansa aged 55 former Deputy Permanent Secretary for Luapula Province, Robert Mutepuka aged 37 former District Commissioner for Nchelenge, Morton Sikazwe aged 30 former District Commissioner for Mwansabombwe, A Police Constable Sydney Mulongwe aged 37,” he said.
Mr Hamoonga said others are a police officer Simon Chiwala aged 27, a police chief Inspector Masauso Jere aged 46, a police Sergeant Mulenga Chilufya aged 37 and a superintendent of Police Joshua Chimuli aged 54.
Other are Justin Chisha aged 50 a businessman of Mansa, Kelvin Mulenga aged 35 a businessman of Mansa,Stephen Chikota aged 42 Mwense Town Council Chairperson, Kelvin Mukuka aged 33 a businessman and Kingston Chingu aged 36 a businessman of Mansa.
Mr Hamoonga said all the suspects have been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.
