Two District Commissioners and Luapula’s Permanent Secretary Arrested

Two District Commissioners for Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe, as well as the deputy permanent secretary of the LUAPULA province, have been detained for allegedly taking part in the shipment of sugilite that was reportedly stolen.

Eight persons, including police officers, were detained last week for allegedly accompanying a vehicle transporting sugllite mineral ore.

However, in a statement issued today, Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale claimed that other parties involved include Musonda Mutepuka, the district commissioner for Nchelenge, Roy Mwansa, the deputy permanent secretary for the province of Luapula, and Molton Sikazwe, the district commissioner for Mwanabombwe.

“Following the report in which Police in Central Province impounded a Sino Tipper truck carrying suspected sugiliteineral ore in which eight people were charged and arrested for the offence of conveying property reasonably suspected to be stolen and carrying out mining operations without a licence, Police apprehended three more suspects in connection with the same offence.The three suspects have been identified as Roy Mwansa who is Deputy Permanent Secretary for Luapula Province, Musonda Mutepuka and Molton Sikazwe the District Commissioners for Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe respectively,” he said.

Mr Mwale said the suspects were apprehended yesterday around 18:00 hours in Luapula Province and are detained in police custody.