By Isaac Zulu
Four Police Officers have been arrested in Kabwe for allegedly stealing precious minerals that they disguised as manganese when they were escorting the truck carrying the minerals.
Central Province Commissioner of Police David Chileshe Mukuka confirmed the development in a statement, adding that the quartet was intercepted at Luanshimba Security Check Point in Kapiri Mposhi district.
He said that the four police officers, who are from Mansa district in Luapula Province, have been charged for the offence of conveying property reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
“Four police officers from Mansa Police Station have been charged with the above offence after providing armed escort (with 2 AK47 riffles) to a Howo-Sino tipper truck carrying a precious mineral (Sugilite) which they disguised as manganese, suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. The four were intercepted at Luanshimba Security Checkpoint,” Mukuka stated. “They are identified as: inspector Jere Masauso (aged 40 years) who is the Police Intelligence Officer in Charge Mansa Police Station, sergeant Mulenga Chilufya, constable Mulongwe Sydney and constable Chiwala Simon.”
He further said that the driver of the tipper truck that was used to convey the said precious minerals has also been arrested together with the four police officers.
“Mr. Felix Shoko (aged 38) of unmarked house number in 10 Miles in Chibombo District, who is a driver from China Habour Limited has also been arrested. The officers together with the driver are detained at Kabwe Central Police awaiting court appearance,” Mukuka stated.
The precious minerals that have been confiscated by law enforcement officers at Kapiri Mposhi-Luanshimba Security Check Point is weighing 10 tonnes.
Sugilite is a relatively rare pink to purple cyclosilicate mineral costing about $3000 per kilogram.
