MUFULIRA RESIDENTS BREATH FIRE OVER ALLEGED ZNS CORRUPT OPERATIONS
Written by Mafken FM Newsroom on 14 July 2023
Some residents of Mufulira District on the Copperbelt Province have complained over the alleged corrupt operations by the Zambia National Service -ZNS- as regards to the rampant smuggling of mealie-meal into the Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC.
The residents have alleged that ZNS officers that have been placed at various check points to prevent the illegal exportation of Mealie-Meal into the Neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC- are the major contributors to the continuous smuggling of Mealie-meal that has triggered the escalating prices of the commodity in the district.
One of the residents, Juliet Mulwe claims that, those that are carrying Mealie-Meal on bicycles for consumption are being arrested and Mealie- Meal grabbed from them whilst those that are smuggling the commodity using vehicles are being allowed after a bribe is paid to ZNS officers at check points
Another resident, Florence Keke tells Mafken FM radio that, vehicles that are using the Muya road to Smuggle Mealie- Meal into DRC are moving at very high speed and lives will be lost soon.
And Agripa Monga, a farmer at Muya Farming Area at the DRC Boarder says the smuggling of mealie meal into DRC is getting out of hand.
Mr. Monga says the smuggling is worse than it was in February, in that, it is even happening during the day with the front number plates of the perpetrators vehicles removed for fear of being identified.
Meanwhile, ZNS Head of Public Relations Colonel Mable Mulenga-Nyone notes that, ZNS has a zero tolerance to abuse of authority and involvement in corrupt activities by any of its employees.
Mrs Nyone says she will take this matter seriously and investigations will be constituted to ascertain the truth, adding that, if anyone will be found wanting, they will be dealt with appropriately.
She however, appeals to members of the public who have proof to report such cases to a whistle blowers dedicated number, adding that, the information will be kept confidential.
By Dockiso Zulu & Kalonje Mumba
