By JULIUS PHIRI –
SOME officers from Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) trailing about 10 trucks laden with Mukula tree logs were on Thursday stoned by irate Malawian villagers.
Meanwhile, a truck laden with Mukula logs destined for Malawi and believed to be from Katete has been impounded in Chadiza District.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Dr Chileshe Mulenga said the ZRA officers were stoned by the Malawians for trailing the trucks laden with Mukula logs.
“The officers from ZRA who were trailing trucks laden with Mukula logs were stoned yesterday (Thursday) in Malawi and decided to discontinue their mission,” he said.
He said Government would engage the new Malawian government in an effort to clamp down on the illegal export of the logs.
He also said the trucks that slipped into Malawi managed to do so because some police officers did not do their job accordingly.
Dr Mulenga, however, said the 34 trucks which were impounded with Mukula logs weighing 30 tonnes, were still being held at Mwami border.
He said the trucks would not be released until the Attorney General advised on the matter and that culprits would be prosecuted.
On Wednesday, 34 trucks laden with Mukula logs were impounded at Mwami Border Post.
