Armed Robbers Steal Truck Loaded with 32.9 Tons of Copper Cathodes near Ndola Toll Plaza
Armed robbers stole a truck laden with 32.9 tons of Copper cathodes valued at over 5.2 million Kwacha near the Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza in Ndola.
The Copperbelt Police Commissioner, PEACEWELL MWEEMBA, confirmed that the cathodes belonged to SICO Mining of Kolwezi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and were being delivered to Bill Trans, a company in Ndola.
According to Mr. MWEEMBA, the incident occurred when the truck driver and his security escort parked off the road to check the tires, which were defective. It was at this moment that two armed men approached them, brandishing pistols.
Identifying themselves as police officers, the assailants demanded documentation related to the goods on the truck. Fearing for their lives, the truck crew complied with their demands.
The robbers forced the truck crew into a Toyota Allion and drove them to a location near the Roadblock in Kitwe. The exact details of the incident, such as the distance traveled or the duration of the journey, were not disclosed.
Upon reaching the destination near the Roadblock in Kitwe, the criminals released the truck driver and security escort. The victims reported the incident to the authorities, and the matter was subsequently handed over to the Anti Robbery Squad in Kitwe for further investigation.
The stolen copper cathodes, weighing 32.9 tons and valued at over 5.2 million Kwacha, represented a significant loss for SICO Mining and Bill Trans. The companies would likely face severe financial consequences as a result of the robbery.
Law enforcement agencies are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, including gathering evidence and pursuing leads that could potentially lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
