ZAFFICO warned to stop illegal timber seizures
…Stop illegal timber seizures
YOU should immediately halt plans to auction and export timber which was illegally seized from our members by law-enforcement agents until the conclusion of the on-going court process failure to which we will institute court proceedings against you, the Zambia National Association of Sawmillers (ZNAS) has warned ZAFFICO.
In a letter through their lawyers, SLM legal practitioners to ZAFFICO dated October 2, 2017, ZNAS has given the corporation seven days to halt all auction and export activities on the timber wrestled from its members across. ZNAS warned that if ZAFFICO failed to adhere to its demands, it will remain with no other option but to file an injunction and further demand for damages for the illegal activities ZAFFICO was involved in.
“ZNAS has informed us that you are in the process of auctioning and exporting timber that was seized from the general membership of our client across the country by law enforceent agents of the state and security wings. “As your company may be aware, our clients have commenced an action against the state in the Lusaka High Court of Zambia (2017/HP/1459) challenging inter alia, the illegal seizure of the timber, some of which is in your company’s custody. “We are advised that most of the timber was repossessed from our client’s membership illegally as it was done without seizure orders or court order or judgement authorising the disposal of the same. “On that premise, our instructions are to advise your company to abate any attempt to auction or export the timber until the conclusion of the on-going court process. We are instructed to institute the court process within seven days should your company fail to heed our client’s demand herein,” reads the letter in part.
The Forestry Department and ZAFFICO have come under intense pressure from timber associations some of which have alleged that the institutions, in collusion, were illegally confiscating timber from lawful owners using the Zambia Army and exporting the consignments without following the due process of the law.