The Mansa Magistrates Court has acquitted former Luapula Province Minister, Derick Chilundika and 10 others on allegations of mining sugilite without a mining license in Muombe area of Chembe district.
Mr. Chilundika was among the 19 suspects who were accused of mining sugilite in Luapula Province.
In this case, Mr. Chilundika and 18 others were jointly charged with three counts namely carrying out mining operations without a license contrary to section 12 (1) and (3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015.
The other two charges were conveying property reasonably believed to have been unlawfully acquired contrary to section 319 of the Penal Code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia and giving out false information to public officers.
Others who have been acquitted include former Luapula Province Police Commissioner, Gloria Mulele, former Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Royd Mwansa and Mwense Town Council Chairperson, Steven Chikota among others.
Meanwhile, eight other persons who were jointly charged with Mr. Chilundika on the same offences have been put on their defense.
Among the eight that have been put on their defence is former Nchelenge District Commissioner, Robert Mutepuka.
In passing judgement, Principal Resident Magistrate, Peggy Banda, said the state failed to provide concrete evidence to implicate Mr. Chilundika and 10 other accused persons.
The accused persons are alleged to have between January 4, 2023 and January 13, 2023 mined 23 tonnes of sugilite mineral ore without a license in Muombe mine area in Chembe district in Luapula Province and later conveyed it to Kapiri-Mposhi district in Central Province.
Trial continues for the eight who have been found with a case to answer and put on their defense.
- ZANIS