By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Lusaka City Council (LCC) is saddened by the increase in the number of tombstones been vandalized at New Leopards Hill Cemetery.
This came to light after officers at the cemetery discovered that a number of tombstones where tempered with and metal bars removed.
LCC Public Health Director, Christopher Mtonga said it is embarrassing that people have lost respect for the deceased.
“We have so many people who are resting in this place and it is unfortunate that unscrupulous people have decided to invade the cemeteries to vandalize tombstones, the Local Authority has Council Police officers at the cemetery, but the vice happens when the officers knock off,” he said.
Mr Mtonga has since appealed to scrap metal dealers to report customers who sale metal bars whose source is unknown as it is criminal to sell and buy stolen property.
“We assume that the bars are exchanged with money as scrap metal. Our appeal to scrap metal dealers is that procuring stolen scrap is an offense according to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, to curb the trend Council has instituted investigations to establish the perpetrators of this vice and has engaged Zambia Police to ensure the suspects are prosecuted,” he said.
Mr Mtonga also called on members of the public to report suspects to the Council or nearest police post if they have information which can lead to the arrest of the suspects.
