By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Chingola District Commissioner Mary Chibesa has accused Konkola Copper Mines of polluting Muntimpa stream.
Briefing Mines Minister Richard Musukwa when he paid a courtesy call at her office, Ms Chibesa said KCM polluted the stream thereby affecting the people living along and near the stream.
She said the farmers along the stream launched a complaint to her office that vegetables and animals were dying because of contaminated water from the stream.
The DC said that she had engaged KCM management which acknowledged and promised to take surveys over the same pollution.
Ms Chibesa said in Kakalo area people were complaining of air pollution that fruits like lemons and oranges are falling off from trees before being ripe.
She said the situation was worrying and needs KCM’s urgent attention.
And in response Mines Minister Richard Musukwa said that he will ascertain the matter with the mines and if KCM is found wanting it must face the law.
Mr Musukwa said the issue of pollution by the mines should not take the outcry of the community or the international community to come to the rescue of the people.
