Three arrested for being in possession of suspected sugilite mineral ore, criminal trespass

Three people have been arrested in Mansa District of Luapula Province for the offences of unlawful possession of suspected sugilite mineral ore and criminal trespass.

The three suspects have been identified as Nelson Kalembwe, aged 43, of Nchelenge District, Zebedi Lukwesa, aged 39, of Chilanga in Lusaka and Morton Sikazwe, aged 31, of Mansa District.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday said the three suspects were found in possession of the suspected mineral ore on July 3, 2023 at a named lodge in Mansa District.

Mwale said this was after Police received a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

“They are also alleged to have trespassed on Katros Mine Limited where they blasted and picked some minerals suspected to be Sugilite around 20:00 hours on July 2, 2023,” he said.

Mwale said the suspected mineral ore has since been handed over to the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for laboratory tests.

“All the three suspects are detained in Police custody yet to be formally charged,” he said.

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