Maravi

New CB police chief vowed crackdown on copper thefts

New CB police chief vowed crackdown on copper thefts
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Fri 06 Aug. 2010, 17:10 CAT

FILE PICTURE: Kabonde said the security awareness that KCM had embarked on is an important exercise which coincides with the police’s strategy to attain a crime-free business environment.

THE new Copperbelt police commanding officer Dr Martin Malama has vowed to crack down on illegal mining and rampant copper thefts in mining sections on the Copperbelt.
And inspector general of police Francis Kabonde has stated that the police service has a strategy to attain a crime-free business and social environment.

Speaking when he represented the IG during the security awareness campaign held at KCM Nchanga Mine Club on Friday, Dr Malama bemoaned the higher levels of illegal mining and copper thefts that had characterised the mining towns on the Copperbelt.

“Illegal mining poses a great danger to lives of young people that are employed to do such activities, for example 29 illegal miners died last year, these are brilliant young people from families, it is sad that these activities are leading to loss of lives,” he said.

Dr Mulenga said that economic losses emanating from illegal mining and copper thefts were immense and they discourage further investments in the mining sector.

“As I am transferred to Copperbelt as the new commanding officer, we will work with my team to ensure that we crack down on criminals in mines to abate loss of investments and I challenge you community leaders because you know who has employed these people and you know where these illegal smelters are located, I challenge you to help police report such characters,” he added.

Dr Malama replaces Anthoneil Mutentwa who has reportedly been transferred to Lusaka.

Mutentwa leaves Copperbelt in a shake-up in the police command following recent discontent shown by some police officers against Kabonde.

And in a speech read on his behalf, Kabonde said the security awareness that KCM had embarked on is an important exercise which coincides with the police’s strategy to attain a crime-free business environment.

Kabonde said when investors like Vedanta come to the country, a crime-free environment was the best way to ensure that shareholders, employees, their families and the local community got maximum benefits arising from the investments.

Kabonde said contributions to the treasury, jobs for locals and social investments from investments in the mines were helping to make Zambia a better place for all.

He said KCM had demonstrated credentials as a good corporate citizen by doing all the social works and contributions to Zambia’s well-being.
Kabonde noted that the increased mining activities in North Western and the Copperbelt were attracting criminal elements.

KCM last year arrested 2,055 illegal miners.
KCM director of operations Jeyakumar Janakaraj said the prosecution officers had done a good job in ensuring that culprits in copper theft related activities were abated.

Janakaraj said that as partners the mining company wanted to make profitable use of the country’s natural resources.
He said the security campaign was one initiative that the company had taken to safeguard the company property.

He said management encouraged whistle-blowing on suppliers and contractors who wanted to engage in malpractices and that integrity groups that had been formed within the company structures was another approach aimed at minimizing thefts.

Labels: COPPER, COPPERBELT PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 8:12 PM