Maravi

Luanshya police impound truck carrying scrap metal

Luanshya police impound truck carrying scrap metal
Written by Zumani Katasefa
Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:42:48 AM

LUANSHYA police yesterday impounded a truck carrying suspected scrap metal from Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) barely four days after President Rupiah Banda ordered the mining company to stop the trade.

A reliable source from LCM and police sources confirmed the matter and said the truck registration number ADB 6891 and trailer number AAL 9606 was carrying vital mine components.

The source said it was believed that the items were cut into pieces before being disposed of as scrap metal as the company had pending supply contracts with some companies.

“Roan member of parliament Chishimba Kambwili and Steven Chungu (former MMD Copperbelt provincial secretary) are some of the buyers of scrap metal from the company and whose contracts are pending,” said the source.

Kambwilii however denied being involved in the scrap metal business with the company.

“That fact that I am found with Chungu whose company deals in scrap does not mean that I buy scrap from LCM. You can go there and check the records; you will never find my signature. Yes, I can admit that LCM donated three trucks of scrap metal to my office as member of parliament for Roan Constituency,” he said.

Kambwili explained that the scrap metal worth US $15,000 was meant to raise funds to pay for a fleet of ambulances from the United Kingdom which he had sourced for his constituency.

And Chungu said there was nothing illegal about his deals with LCM, adding that his company was registered.

President Banda last Saturday directed LCM to stop selling scrap metal from the mine.

Labels: LCM, METALS

posted by MrK @ 9:42 AM