LUAPULA Province Minister Derrick Chilundika has dispelled allegations that there are Ministers and other government officials involved the illegal mining of the Sugilite stone in Muombe area of Sub-Chief Kundamfumu in Chembe District.
Responding to the allegations on K-FM Radio on ZANIS Dialogue programme on Monday, Mr. Chilundika said government has security wings everywhere around the country to curtail any illegality.
On Thursday, UPND Deputy National Chairperson for Administration Stephen Chikota with some party youths accused some government ministers whom he did not disclose their names that they are the ones behind the illegal mining of the Sugilite stone in Chembe district in collaboration with some foreign nationals mining at the site.
Mr. Chilundika noted that the UPND government is a government of laws that can prosecute any person founding wanting including any minister serving in a government position.
He explained that the reason why the said cadres are talking anyhow making false accusations is because they cannot be allowed to do illegal mining.
Mr. Chilundika pleaded with the people in Muombe area to stop the illegal mining they are doing but rather follow the right procedure and get a legal mining license to mine at a place they will be given.
The Provincial Minister further added that government is the government for every Zambian, whether they belong to the party in government or in the opposition anyone that breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly.
On Monday, Luapula Province Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu disclosed that on Friday evening through to Saturday police arrested 24 UPND cadres attempting to access the mining site in Muombe area of Chief Kundamfumu in Chembe district.
She said that those arrested are still in police custody and more arrests will be made as police is still looking for the culprits.
We have heard your side, now let Chikota give us the names……
If the sugilite mine is operating illegally, why’s the government not stopping that? I’m not sure I understand this.
Do you think we expected you to say YES THERE’S A MINISTER INVOLVED? It’s simple common sense that the first thing to come out of your mouth is denial. God is watching.
Not sure this will be on LT but see it is less about party labels. We just have scoundrels right across party lines.
BUT WHY ARREST THEM??? 6 MONTHS AGO YOU WERE PLEADING FOR THEM TO VOTE FOR YOU. NOW THEY ARE CRIMINALS? WHY NOT ENGAGE THEM? YOU CANT ENGAGE THEM BECAUSE YOUR MINISTERS WILL BE EXPOSED. THATS WHAT YOU’RE SCARED OF.
Why do people think they’re cleverer than others when they become ministers? Truth is there are more people who are more intelligent than those in cabinet. It’s just a matter of opportunity and timing (and telling lies)for one to become a cabinet member
Deja Vu
you have said the truth, There is no merit in politics. mediocre minds are given very senor positions because they are not threats. Intelligent people are sidelined
t
@Deja Vu, let us stop relying on God to watch. If this government is serious, they should investigate immediately. It really does not seem to hit this government that they are where they are because Zambians wanted change. If it was not UPND, it would have been some other party. Me thinks they know this and that is why they are following the old regime’s footsteps. Zambians are hoodwinked again!
If I were you Hon Minister, the best I could have done is to engage the youths and find out who exactly is involved other than educating us of UPND being a government of laws that can be broken, I for sure smell a rat.