By KELVIN MUDENDA –
THE Zambia Army has ordering all illegal miners operating in the Lower Zambezi Valley to vacate the area immediately.
Addressing illegal miners in Siavonga, Zambia Army Commander Geoffrey Zyeele said the military was prepared to take decisive action as part of intensified nationwide efforts to curb illegal mining.
Lieutenant General Zyeele said the illicit activity in the Lower Zambezi was an economic crime.
He warned those ignoring repeated Government calls to stop of serious repercussions.
Gen Zyeele said that illegal mining did not only undermine national economic development, but also attracted other criminal activities.
This, he said, posed grave risks to the country’s security.
“We have spoken firmly before about this matter and those who are ignoring the warnings are merely inviting stiffer reprisals from the authorities. Anyone who refuses to comply will be removed,” Gen Zyeele said.
The tour of the Lower Zambezi valley was undertaken by security chiefs from across the defence and enforcement spectrum.
