Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:32:00 +0000
By ROGERS KALERO
INDIVIDUALS and organizations who are against the closure of the Pilala market in the restricted gemstone area are beneficiaries of the illegal activities being perpetrated by the dishonest miners in the area, ‘ says Emerald Semi-Precious Minerals Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) General Secretary Shadreck Mwape.
Mr Mwape said ESMAZ was aware that some individuals and organizations which were against the eviction of the illegal miners from the market were conniving with the illegal miners to steal gemstones.
He said in an interview at the weekend that those who were advocating for the idea of giving waste dumpsites to the illegal miners were aware that the dumpsites contained semi-precious minerals which if given to them, would make millions for them.
“As ESMAZ, we know that those who are against the eviction of illegal miners from Pilala market are beneficiaries of the illegal activities of the illegal miners. They want the illegal miners to stay there so that in the night they go and invade the dumpsite of the gemstone areas,
“If they found some precious minerals, then the illegal miners sell to those individuals at a low price. In turn, when these individuals go to Kitwe , they sell them at a much higher price. So you can see that these illegal miners are exploited by these individuals and organizations which claim to protect their interests,” Mr Mwape said.
He also said the Zambia Police guarding the gemstone restricted area should be replaced by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) because they had become highly compromised.
He claimed that police officers allowed illegal meetings in the restricted area where the republican President was being insulted by people promoting lawlessness.
“A lot of things are happening in the restricted gemstone area and so we need effective security to deal with lawlessness. This is why we are suggesting that the Zambia Police Service be replaced by the ZNS which we think will bring sanity to the area,
“As ESMAZ, we are deeply concerned that people can hold illegal meetings where the republican President is insulted without the police knowing what is happening. It is as good as not having the police in the area,” He said.
