United Party for National Development (UPND) North-western Provincial Youth Chairperson, Bruce Kanema, has backed government’s decision through the Ministry of Defence to clear illegal gold miners at Kikonge area in Mufumbwe District.
Mr Kanema says the move was long overdue, stressing that the illegal gold mining activities were not safe and was a breeding ground for criminal activities.
The media reports that Mr Kanema said this during a press briefing in Solwezi today.
He stated that the stance the government has taken to bring order and sanity to Kikonge Gold Mine area is commendable and must be supported by all well-meaning Zambians.
“As UPND youths in the province, we are in support of the action taken to clear illegal gold miners from Kikonge area. We are in support of the action because our President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has categorically indicated since coming into power that he is not going to allow illegal Mining to take place in any part of the country,” he said.
He noted that the move will also allow the right people who are the Zambian youths to benefit from the mineral wealth in the province.
Mr Kanema alleged that the illegal gold mining in Kikonge saw many foreigners who had evaded the area benefit more than the Zambians themselves.
He has further called for the same action to be replicated to other parts of the country where illegal mining activities are taking place.
Because the youths, the zambians, just watched, docile like their brethren in the emerald invasion decades ago! Do not blame the government, you the youth yearn for the sangwapo, bonanza, money-in-your-pocket lawlessness…YOU drove the mukuba and sugilite trucks, forged land-titles for foreigners for personal gain, condorn the Makebi Chagwa Syndrom – WAKE UP!!