Police in Solwezi have nabbed seven people among them three employees of Kansanshi Mine Plc suspected to have stolen assorted goods worth about K640,000 from the mining firm over a period of time.
North Western police commissioner, Eugene Sibote, named the suspects as Christopher Muyasani, 39, a foreman, Robert Siwale, process operator, Angel Nyirenda, 39, process controller and Mazhila Nkamu, 37, process foreman, all of plot 1331, Saviye area and employees of Air Products, a firm contracted by Kansanshi Mine.
Sibote revealed, in an interview yesterday, that the quartet working in a syndicate with Kansanshi mine employees, Nicodemus Mulenga, 34, a store man, of Zambia African Housing Compound, Samson Salalesa, 41, a driver and logistics officer of 162 Kazomba and Emmanuel Chankala, 33, a mechanical fitter of B28 Kandundu in Solwezi stole items among them electrical cables and breakers, cutting disks, security flood lights and knife valves including welding shields, welding plugs and drilling machines, all estimated at a total cost of K639,290.28.
He narrated that the quartet and trio, who were cornered on April 29, 2014 following a tip from members of the public and have since been charged with theft and theft by servant respectively, stored the stolen items at the Saviye residence before moving them to the Copperbelt.
Sibote said Police have since recovered property worth K338,717.06 from the residence, including K12,243. 47 worth of other items from Copperbelt following revelations by syndicate mastermind Muyasani.
He said police have further impounded a white Toyota vehicle ABD 9102 and Honda CRV ACT 9039, which was found laden with some of the items destined for Copperbelt.
Sibote thanked the public for expressing confidence and tipping police about the thefts and called for more cooperation in curbing acts of crime that were hindrances to investment which provided jobs to many people and sustained the economy.
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Police Arrest 7 Over Kansanshi Mine Thefts
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