•A MAN of Lufwanyama picks what is believed to be salt at the the Kasho hot springs.

By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI  –

THE Copperbelt has a number of tourist sites which have remained hidden from members of the public.
One such site is the Kasho hot springs, situated  a few Kilometres from the central business district of  Lufwanyama  in Chief Shibuchinga’s area.
The hot water from the springs is believed to have healing powers which members of the community use whenever they have different ailments affecting them.
Apart from the healing purposes, the community also uses the water for daily consumption.
The community members also collect salt from the site which they use in their food.
But at the site, there is a danger sign from the Radiation Protection Authority (RPA) warning members of the public against going near the hot water.
RPA director of protection Mushaukwa Kabungu said the organisation suspects that the water contains natural radiation, hence the danger sign.
Mr Kabungu told the Copperbelt Times that the organisation decided to put the warning sign so that  people should not go near the hot water.
He said the Kasho hot springs could  be similar to the  Libungu  hot springs found   in  Mumbwa District in Central Province, which has radiation.
The National  Institute of  Scientific  and Industrial Research (NISIR) has collected samples of the soil for further analysis.
The hot water in Shibuchinga area was first  discovered  by NISIR inspectors who were surveying the area.
Mr Kabungu said the officers would return to the area to  collect samples of the salt  that  community members  were  consuming  for tests.
On the use of the water for healing purposes, he said those were beliefs among  people  living near the hot springs .
“There is a likelihood of being cured because radiation is used for treatment of cancer,” he said.
He, however, said radiation was used for treating cancer, but that excessive  amounts could be dangerous to people’s health.
Some community members believe the hot springs is a gift from God, making it the reason why whoever falls ill gets cured by using the water.
The hot water comes from underground at boiling temperature.