Two Tanzanian fuel Tankers believed to be carrying 35,000 litres of fuel have been burnt to ashes at Tafiki, in Chitulika along Great North road in Mpika district, Muchinga Province.
The occupants of the two international fuel tankers have however, escaped unhurt and are currently on the run.
Both Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba and Provincial Police Commissioner Chola Katanga have confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Mpika yesterday.
According to Mr. Katanga, the incident happened yesterday around 19:00 hours in Chitulika area along the Great North Road.
Mr. Katanga said that the two Tanzanian tankers belong to Mt. Meru Petroleum Company and contained fuel before they were set ablaze.
He disclosed that it is alleged that one of the drivers sold some fuel to some vendors and in the process accidentally ignited a spark which spread to the truck containing fuel.
Mr. Katanga added that both vehicles got burnt in the process as the fire spread because they were parked so close to each other.
He also revealed that the Mpika Town Council Fire Tenders tried to put out the fire with assistance from Tanzania Zambia Mafuta Pipeline (TAZAMA) but to no avail.
Meanwhile Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Jobbicks Kalumba who was at the scene by 07:00hours has expressed sadness with the development.
Dr. Kalumba said that the Town Council should with immediate effect put in measures to stop trucks from parking in that area, adding that it put the lives of the community at risk.
Dr. Kalumba noted that for the sake of safeguarding the lives of the people, truck drivers should be moved to the temporary site near Chilonga area along Great North Road.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kalumba has directed the local authority and the Zambia Police to ensure no transit trucks or fuel tankers park in the Central Business District.
He has directed Mpika Town Council Secretary Christopher Chikwasha to find a designated place where all trucks in transit are to park.
He said what happened last night could have been avoided, adding that it is good that no life has been lost.
Everything pa Zed today is TAKA-TAKA – no planning, no foresight, no future nothing; just corruption and looting everywhere. Indeed why not utilize the pipeline and if not possible, why not create one and create employment for those same young people syphoning fuel from those tankers to sell to motorists? Unless safety measures are put in place bwangu, this same thing will happen even at Mungwi Road Depot in Lusaka and hopefully, the whole 42 fire tenders will be there with water in them, mark my words…
Chitulika constituency.
Calculated mistake kikikikiki
Ati “a mistake was miscalculated,”. Am still trying to digest this line. Sad development anyway.
Hahahahaha.
It’s just pure theft gone wrong. Drivers including those operating mining vehicles are in the habit decanting fuel to sell illegally. Transporters lose out a lot through this practice.
That makes the two of us
We all know that fuel tank drivers sell fuel and then mix the remainder with paraffin and water to reach the same level. As such we buy changanya from the filling stations. I know some drivers who are rich because of the same dirty and evil business. They do this all the time and appears no one is able to stop the trend.
He disclosed that it is alleged that one of the drivers sold some fuel to some vendors and in the process a mistake was miscalculated, igniting a spark which spread to the truck containing fuel.
Something is fishy here, why did the drivers run if it was a calculated mistake? Probably sold all the fuel and set the tanker ablaze and ran away with the money
He disclosed that it is alleged that one of the drivers sold some fuel to some vendors and in the process a mistake was miscalculated, igniting a spark which spread to the truck containing fuel.
And where were the multi million dollar fire tenders ????????
Confusion! A mistake was miscalculated? So the mistake was supposed to be done correctly?
Life under pf
Even before you’re born such things used to happen. Even in the most advanced countries these happen. Unless you’re some kind of a god even if you formed government it’s bound to happen.
Sat.anic party
A fishy underhand deal went sour and the trucks were set ablaze.
You normally steal and fill but today because the owner complains thereby God exposing you. It’s quite unfortunate repent guys……
Pa South Africa they would rise & burn foreign trucks, being the only ones transporting fuel meant for their country, when Zambians are complaining about no employment & no business when business is given to foreigners. Same with foreign contractors, in South Africa they can’t even be allowed to work when locals have no jobs. But no Zambians sit back & just complain & starve while government officials get kick backs from foreigners they engage. And we call ourselves patriotic. Just saying
You are in South Africa and you want want to start xenophobia in Zambia?? You are not normal. Must be a cadre of a named party
f*******k all tanzanians
banana country. cant be surprised