The government has warned of stern action against illegal miners invading Mopani Copper Mines in Mufulira, where one person was on Friday shot dead as police struggled to push back the scavengers.
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa said that the illegality perpetrated by illegal miners locally known as Jerabos will not be tolerated.
Mr. Musukwa however said that the loss of life in a tussle between the illegal miners and police is regrettable, adding that police should not have used live ammunition but non-combat tactics during the tense crowd control.
Mr. Musukwa said that government has devised proper mechanisms for youths participation in mining hence will not condone illegal activities.
He has told ZNBC news that some aspiring parliamentary candidates have contributed to the invasion of Mopani Mine due to false promises to secure mineral resources for the jerabos if elected.
He said government and Mopani Mines will not be held to ransom by dishonest politicians pushing selfish agenda ahead of the August elections.
Mr. MUSUKWA said youths and other citizens must follow government devised schemes to legally participate in mining as opposed to the use of illegal and violent means.
He said security will be beefed up to secure the mine premises and further cautioned Kankoyo residents against daring the police whenever they riot.
Mr. Musukwa said the mine sinkhole is a dangerous site that would spell disaster if people are left to conduct illegal activities unchecked
One person was shot dead as the police battled to repel illegal miners that invaded the sinkhole at Mopani Mine in Mufurila yesterday.
I think the Minister of Mines is pretending here. Jarebos do whatever they want on the Copperbelt. They don’t obey road traffic rules, they can sit on top of the cabin of a moving lorry, they can do anything.
JAREBOS PLUS TAXIS PLUS ALL GRZ VEHICLES FUNERALS WEDDINGS ETC ETC
THERE IS NO CONTROL ANYMORE ITS A FREE FOR ALL UNDER PF
THEY HAVE TO GO FOR THIS COUNTRY TO BE SAVED
Crime doesn’t pay. This problem is a creation of politicians and now it’s getting out of hand
Well done ba police. We have warned these scavengers for a long time. Now is time for action. Most of these are upnd cadres. Continue shooting them. We are tired
PF take over the mine and theft at the mine becomes rampant
5 more years of Lungu and this mine will be like that Black hill in Kitwe where its free for all thugs.
Give them jobs and they will stop. All they are doing like most Zambians, is to make ends meet.
Where is our GOLD?
PF created the unrullly monster which now needs feeding.
More money in their pockets!
Iwe chi color *** @Kaizar Zulu…. mwe ba born again futi ati, “shoot them they are UPND cadres”…. FYI HH aleteka uno mwaka. Zambia is for all of us home and abroad iwe shetani….