Three suspected smugglers nab bed in Solwezi.

Three suspected smugglers nab bed in Solwezi.

Solwezi, March 30, 2013, ZANIS — Police in Solwezi have arrested three people in connection with over 500 bags of mealie meal believed to have been unlawfully obtained or stolen destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ZANIS reports that North western province Police Commissioner Eugene Sibote confirmed the development in Solwezi, today.

Mr. Sibote said that the contraband was concealed in big sucks each containing four by 25 kilogram bags loaded on a truck registration number MVB 04-93.

Mr. Sibote said the owner of the truck Owen Sikapila was arrested at a shop in Kyawama compound this morning after a tip off from members of the public.

He said police also arrested Zachariah Luwana a driver of a Toyota Marino who was found ferrying mealie meal from the same shop to unknown destination.

Police said the owner of the shop Clefat Nzumbu of Chiwempala in Chingola is among the three detained while his accomplice a Congolese national has ran away.

Mr. Sibote said police has charged the three with being in possession of property believed to have been unlawfully obtained or stolen.

He said urged members of the public to work with the police to ensure that the curtail is dealt with once and for all.

He said the vice was causing the artificial shortage of mealie meal in the district and tarnishing the image of government.

Solwezi district has of late been experiencing shortages of mealie meal.