By JOHN SAKALA
Police in Solwezi have arrested 16 miners from Kansanshi Mine, who were found in possession of 1701.6 grams of Suspected Gold concentrate.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said on Monday September 11, 2020, police had received a tip-off from members of the public who suspected some people to have been conducting illegal business from a house belonging to Valeta Ramon.
Ms Katongo said police visited the said premises and intercepted four vehicles driving in or out of the premises.
She said 16 illegal miners were apprehended at different times with respective grams of suspected Gold concentrate while three other people were caught in the act of smelting the suspected Gold concentrate.
“A 15 Gas cylinders, 13 kilograms of Gold concentrate, 48 pieces of suspected Pure Gold weighing 242.12 grams, Cash money amounting to K413, 520. 00, 3×20 litres of Acid and Two Scales were recovered. The total number of suspects arrested in the Gold scandal is twenty (20). This includes the owner of the house who surrendered himself to the police. Value of the recovered Suspected Gold concentrate is yet to be ascertained.
“The suspects will appear in court soon. Four have been charged for the offence of fraudulently dealing in Minerals without a License while 16 have been charged for being found in possession of property believed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained,” she said.
