1,422 logs of Mukula forfeited to the state

GOVERNMENT has forfeited about 1,422 logs of Mukula logs that was illegally harvested and marooned in Kasempa and Mufumbwe districts.

This follows an application by the Forestry Department to have the exhibits disposed off pursuant to section 355 Cap 88 of the laws of Zambia.

According to the court order obtained by the Daily Nation, the exhibits have since been deposited with the Solwezi District Forestry Office for further dealings.

But, the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) are upset with the move saying the logs belong to some senior government officials.

In a statement issued to a named radio station, UPND provincial vice Information and Publicity Secretary Laston Kawanda has allegedly accused a named Minister to be the owner of the precious Mukula logs.

Mr Kawanda has vowed that his party members will impound any truck suspected to be loaded with the Mukula logs.

But the PF has dismissed the allegations levelled against the named minister that they are involved in the act.

PF provincial chairperson Jackson Kungo told the Daily Nation in an interview that the logs have been disposed off accordingly without the interference of either the party nor any senior government official.

He disclosed that the Zambia Forest and Forestry industries (ZAFFICO) have been mandated by government to export the illegally harvested and confiscated Mukula logs to China.

“So, people should not take the UPND seriously because those logs have been forfeited to the state and government through ZAFFICO will export all the logs that have been forfeited,’’ Mr Kungo said.

He warned that anyone that will temper with the trucks will dealt with severely.