53 Foreign Trucks Laden With Mukula Impounded

Authorities at Nakonde border in Muchinga Province have intercepted and impounded 53 foreign trucks laden with illegal Mukula logs.

The 53 foreign containerised trucks were discovered by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) last week.

Muchinga Province Minister Henry Sikazwe confirmed the development to the media over the weekend.

Mr Sikazwe commended ZNS Staff at Nakonde Wulongo check point for being alert and ensuring that the illegal goods were not taken out of the country. He stated that this should be a warning to all, Nakonde border post will not being allowing the movement of illegal goods.

The Province Minister has since given the Zambia Police 48 hours in which to establish the source of the impounded Mukula logs at the border. These instructions came in the wake of foreign truck drivers threats to stage a protest this week demanding the release of their trucks.

The truck drivers are claiming that the contraband they are carrying was harvested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and not in Zambia.

Several of the foreign truck drivers have appealed to ZANIS, claiming they have suffered significantly from the time their trucks have been impounded and requested government to release them.

“We are carrying transit goods and we are appealing to the Zambian authorities to release us because this Mukula we have is from outside Zambia,” said one truck driver who asked to stay anonymous.

The harvesting and export of Mukula wood was banned in 2017, however the illegal trade of log continues to flourish. The new minister of Land Natural Resources, Elijah Muchima, aims to tighten up the illicit industry.