The Zambia Police Service has charged and arrested six people in connection with the alleged theft of copper cathodes recovered in Mufulira District.
According to a police statement issued on July 30, 2026, the suspects have been jointly charged with offences including Theft by Public Servant, Giving False Information to a Public Officer, and Receiving Property Suspected to Have Been Stolen.
The charges follow investigations into the alleged theft of 436 copper cathodes valued at approximately US$448,596, which were recovered in the Mokambo area of Mufulira District between March 6 and March 9, 2026.
Among those charged is Mr. Yuyi Mwala, the former Commanding Officer for Copperbelt Province, who faces one count of Theft by Public Servant.
Police officers Patrick Muti and Boniface Nchimunya, Clerk of Court Obrian Chipunza, and Magistrate Edward Banda, all based in Mufulira, have been jointly charged with one count of Theft by Public Servant and one count of Giving False Information to a Public Officer.
Businessman Daniel Makina has also been charged with Receiving Property Suspected to Have Been Stolen and Giving False Information to a Public Officer.
Police stated that the copper consignment was allegedly being transported from the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Africa when the truck carrying the goods was diverted into Zambia. The consignment was later recovered by police in the Mokambo area of Mufulira.
Investigations further revealed that after the copper was placed in police custody, it was allegedly released to a private individual through what police described as a fraudulent disposal process. The copper was later auctioned despite the owner of the consignment having reportedly been identified.
All six suspects remain in police custody and are expected to appear before court soon.
