JERABOS SUMMONED

Mushrooming illegal trade at Black mountain unsettles Kitwe council

THE Kitwe City Council has summoned mine managers operating at the slug-dump, commonly known as Black Mountain, following the mushrooming of illegal trade around the area including carwash bays and restaurants.

Unregistered traders have mounted makeshift restaurants, carwash bays and other activities at the Black Mountain, a copper slug-dump located between Wusakile Township and Nkana West, overlooking the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway.

Illegal trade includes the sale of opaque beer and cane spirits known as Junta and other brands.

Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang'ombe said in an interview yesterday that activities around the area were a great source of concern.

He said all illegal business activities at the Black Mountain were proceeding at risk because the place was not conducive for business and lacked sanitation facilities.

He explained that the area was exclusively for mining activities and wondered why there had been so much rush for illegal business.

A check by the Daily Nation showed that some traders conducted business along the railway line, near the 16 feet bridge on the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway. The mayor local authority has summoned the mine managers, commonly referred to Jerabos to a meeting to chart the way forward.

Mr Kang'ombe also the council had involved the Mines Safety Department over the blasting which was conducted last week at the site and that a joint statement would be issued next week.

The vendors and other traders have invaded the Black Mountain doing all sorts of business.

On Wednesday, part of the slug caved in and buried an excavator operator along with his huge machinery. He was only rescued by workmates.