Police in Lusaka have arrested a Burundi national for being in possesssion of 148 10Kg bags counterfeit Kafue Sugar sold by Impano Company Limited at Soweto Market.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed this in a statement yesterday, adding that the suspect had been apprehended and charged with prohibition of sale of goods bearing false trade description.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, Katongo disclosed that four people died on the spot while six others sustained serious injuries in an accident which occurred along the Gwembe-Munyumbe road on April 11, 2018 in Southern Province.

“The Zambia Police Service Intellectual Property Unit conducted an operation on 11th April, 2018 and seized 148 x 10 Kilogram Bags suspected to be counterfeit Kafue Sugar from Impano Company Limited, along Chamapepe Road at Soweto Market in Lusaka owned by a Burundi National Celestin Ndizeye. This was after we received a complaint from Consolidated Farming Limited who is the rightful holder of Kafue Sugar Brand which is legally registered. Investigations have revealed that the suspects smuggle unbranded sugar from a neighboring country which they later repack under the Kafue Sugar Trademark,” Katongo stated.

“The suspect was apprehended and charged with the following offences; Prohibition of Sale of Goods Bearing forged Trade Mark or False Trade Description contrary to section 6 (1) (b) of the Merchandise Marks Act Cap 405 of the Laws of Zambia. Forgery of Trade Marks and other Acts Prohibited contrary to section 5 (1) (g) of the Merchandise Mark Act Cap 405 of the Laws of Zambia. The suspect who is currently in police custody will appear in Court soon.”

Meanwhile, Katongo stated that six people had died in an accident which occurred on the Dwembe-Munyumbe road in Southern Province, involving a Mitsubishi canter, registration number ALV 5191 which was being driven by Steven Chanda aged 32 of Freedom Compound, Monze District.

“Four people died on the spot while six others sustained serious injuries in an accident which occurred yesterday, 11th April, 2018 at around 18:00 hours along Gwembe-Munyumbe road, 10km east of Gwembe District of Southern Province. Involved was a motor vehicle Mitsubishi canter, registration number ALV 5191 driven by Steven Chanda aged 32 of Freedom Compound, Monze District. The deceased are two female adults and two female juveniles, all not yet identified. The accident happened when the driver of the motor vehicle failed to negotiate a curve due to excessive speed and in the process fell into a ditch. The bodies of the deceased persons are lying in Gwembe District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem. The driver has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving,” she stated.

And in a related development, Katongo revealed that a six-year-old female juvenile of Mpika’s Itambamo village in Muchinga province died on the spot upon being hit by a moving vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.

“In Mpika District of Muchinga Province, a pedestrian female juvenile aged six years of Itambamo village, Chief Mpepo in Kanchibiya District died upon arrival at Micheal Chilufya Sata Hospital after she was hit by a motor vehicle in an accident which occurred on 10th April, 2018 at about 13:00 hours at Itambamu area along Mpika – Kasama road. The body is lying in Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem,” stated Katongo.