SUGILITE SAGA
THE concerns that are being raised over the investigations into the sugilite scam must be addressed and answers provided.
The first point that has been raised is that the Zambia Police impounded three trucks carrying the sugilite from Muombe Mine and not one as they have reported.
It is alleged that four trucks laden with the mineral left the mine but police only indicated that they had impounded one.
What then has happened to the other three trucks? The authorities cannot tell us that they have vanished into thin air.
There must be documentation somewhere, either from the original mining site and with the police.
We agree with Pambashe Member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela who has challenged the police not to leave any stone unturned in the controversial Sugilite saga and that all those found wanting, including some senior UPND and cabinet ministers implicated to face the wrath of the law.
Mr Chitotela in an interview said that as members of the opposition they would not let this issue die a natural death and that they would agitate the matter to ensure that all those who were fingered were brought to book.
He said intelligence information indicated that four trucks left the mine and only one was impounded and wondered where the other three had gone.
The scam has aroused public interest hence the authorities must equally show seriousness in the manner it is handled.
It cannot just be treated as one of those scandals, definitely not when the President has stepped in and dismissed some senior government officials - Luapula Province deputy permanent secretary Roy Mwansa, Musonda Mutepuka and Molton Sikazwe, the District Commissioners for Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe - who have been implicated.
As Mr Chitotela said, Zambians wanted closure most especially as it was rumoured that in fact there were four trucks laden with the mineral and not what was reported by the police.
The other issue that raises eyebrows is the continued incarceration of the whistleblower, Mr Stephen Chikota.
Police ought to inform the public why he is locked up five days after being arrested and has been denied police bond.
Mr Chikota is the Mwense Town Council chairperson who in February 2022 exposed the illegal mining and sale of the rare gemstone and was arrested in connection with the US$30 million Sugilite scandal.
A close associate of Mr Chikota has confirmed that he was still in detention five days after being arrested even after some people who were implicated confessed to the police that he had no hand in the matter.
Or is Mr Chikota being used as a sacrificial lamb as alleged by Zambia Republican Party president Wright Musoma who has also called for his release?
The bottom line is that police must be professional in their investigations by giving the correct information to the public – starting with the number of trucks impounded.