Police in Kasempa district of North Western Province have impounded four trucks loaded with Mukuka logs following a joint operation.
Meanwhile Chief Munyambala of Mufumbwe district has claimed ownership of the Mukula logs in the three trucks saying he had engaged the purported owner Mwamba Isa to sell on his behalf so as to raise money for the upcoming ceremony.
North Western province police Commissioner Auxensio Daka in a statement said the trucks which were headed for Lusaka from Mufumbwe, were intercepted in Kasempa around 03:00 hours.
He added that police have arrested and detained 16 people in connection with the transportation of Mukula.
“The intercepted trucks are a Freightliner Registration number AJD 9465 ZM trailer Registration number ND668-438T carrying 130 logs driven by Ephraim Phiri aged 28 of Matero House number 2920 in Lusaka. The owner of the logs, Adrian Tembo is also in custody. Another truck was a Volvo Registration number AJD 9001 trailer Registration number AJC 8074T, carrying 130 logs driven by Siphelani Hamonga aged 32 of Naluwama Mazabuka District. Freightliner truck Reg number AJD 8501 trailer Reg number AJD 8503T Carrying 140 logs driven by Oscar Chibamulilo aged 45 of Chibolya compound House number 46 Lusaka. Freightliner Reg number ALD 7934 trailer Reg number AJD 4743T Carrying 140 logs driven by Boyd Tayali OYD whose aged is unknown of Kapiri Mposhi but he escaped after parking the vehicle,” Daka said.
Daka said that the owner Mwamba Isa is also in custody.
“The owner of the logs Mwamba Isa is also in custody while Chief Munyambala of Mufumbwe District is claiming ownership of the logs in the three trucks saying he had engaged Mwamba Isa to sell on his behalf to raise money for the ceremony.There is also a Chinese national male Feng Lei in custody who happens to be the buyer of the said logs in three trucks. There are also lorry boys, helpers and others in custody taking the number to 16.They have no documents and there is a ban on production and conveyance of Mukula tree,” said Daka.
