By NKUSE CHELA
Three employees of Zuran Copper mine in Chingola are on the run after they allegedly connived with unknown criminals and stole seven bundles of copper cathodes at the said mine.
Collins Linjiangyi 33, a Chinese National of Lulamba area who is also the plant manager at Zuran Copper mine reported to the Police that the copper cathode weighing 14 tonnes valued at K2.646 million was stolen by his workers.
Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba said that the mine is always guarded by the company security guard who has a company shotgun and other two workers.
Mr Mweemba said on April 4, 2023, the security guard with the other two reported for work at 18:00 hours, and everything in the warehouse was intact.
He said the plant Is patrolled by two police officers from MU and at 19:00 hours Constable Nunde passed through the warehouse, and everything was intact.
“Later, he went to patrol other areas within the plant, and then on April 5, 2023 around 02:45 hours he passed through the warehouse only to discover that it was dark as there was no power and there was no one in the warehouse, he also discovered that some bundles of copper cathodes were missing in the warehouse. Later, he went behind the warehouse and saw some people carrying plates of copper cathodes,” he said.
Mr Mweemba said the Constable fired warning shots, which led them to run away from the same area.
He said after that he heard a sound of a tipper truck moving out of the area and then, the plant manager Collins was informed about the development.
Mr Mweemba said the matter was reported to Chingola central police station and police officers were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered that only seven bundles of copper cathodes were stolen from the warehouse. Later, officers searched the mine and they found a bush path which led them to a place they found some copper cathodes abandoned in the bush. The officers divided themselves, and others followed the tyre marks of the tipper truck, and they found it abandoned and stuck on the road.
The tipper truck registration number AFB 2921 belongings to Zhemu Investment was searched, and it was found carrying some copper plates,” he said.
He said the officers searched the place, and they found a shotgun serial number PA-7838 belonging to Zuran company, which was abandoned by the security guard.
Mr Mweemba said the seven bundles of copper cathodes stolen have been recovered together with the tipper truck and no arrest has been made.
Investigations have since been instituted into the matter
