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Government through the Forestry Department has forfeited about 1,422 logs of the precious Mukula tree which was marooned in Mufumbwe and Kasempa districts after illegally being harvested. The Mukula was confisticated and has since been forfeited to the state.
The move follows an application by the Forestry Department to have the logs disposed off. This is in pursuant to section 355 Cap 88 of the laws of Zambia.
The estimated volume for the precious Mukula logs in forfeited to the state is about 249,937 cubic metres.
The Solwezi Magistrates court has since issued a court order to have the logs deposited with the Solwezi District Forestry office for further formalities.
However, the opposition UPND is against the development and has since accused a named minister to be behind the move.
In a statement issued to a named radio station, UPND provincial vice Information and Publicity Secretary Mr. Laston Kawanda has alleged that the logs belong to a named minister.
He called on his party members to illegally impound trucks suspected to be carrying the logs. But the PF has rubbished the allegations levelled against the named minister saying the claims are unfounded and baseless.
Patriotic Front Provincial Chairperson Mr. Jackson Kungo said contrary to the unfounded allegations, the right procedure to dispose off the logs has been followed.
‘’There is nothing fishy in the way the logs have been disposed off,’’ Mr Kungo said.
He said neither the party nor government officials have been involved in the process adding that the UPND is bent on tarnishing the name of the named minister.
‘’So, people should not buy into the UPND’s propaganda. That is pure propaganda which will not even take them (UPND) anywhere,’’ he said.
Mr. Kungo disclosed that the Zambia Forest and Forestry industries (ZAFFICO) have been mandated by Government to export the illegally harvested and confiscated Mukula logs.
He has since warned all those intending to politicize Government’s operations in the province especially in relation to this particular situation as has been hinted to desist or risk being severly dealt with by the law.
Compiled by:
Patriotic Front Media Team
North Western Province.
Released by:
Sunday Chanda
PF Media Director Party HEADQUARTERS
