Police bust Chinese theft scam

POLICE in Kitwe have arrested two Chinese nationals and a Zambian in connection with the theft of slippers and other installations on the railway lines in Chambishi area of Kalulushi.

The three were arrested after an operation was conducted on Wednesday following the theft of vital railway installations in Chambishi

Copperbelt police commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the incident yesterday. Ms Katanga identified the suspects as Jacob Chikwenda 36, and two Chinese nationals, Zheng Chang 39 and Li Zhen 29 who reside at Chisteel Zambia limited in Chambishi.

They are currently detained at Chambishi police station.

During the operation at Chisteel Zambia limited, a number of items were recovered which included 82 railway slippers, 46 solv plates, 43 fish plates, eight scotch screws, 28 short rails, eight long rails and 30 x 5metres big irrigation steel pipes.

Zambia Railways Limited management has identified the properties, which were recently stolen from the railway line.

"All the property were identified by Zambia Railways management as the ones that were recently stolen on the railway line,” she said.

Ms Katanga said the recovered property were loaded and concealed in the middle of the Freightliner truck and trailer registration number AJB 8570 and AJB 4682 respectively.

They were covered with other scrap on the sides in readiness to be transported to Lusaka.

"The driver of the hired truck has been turned into a witness. Value of the recovered property not yet established. Irrigation pipes are yet to be identified,'' she said.