And Kansanshi Mine says operations have been affected by the seizure of motor vehicles and machinery.
The bailiffs' action on Wednesday follows an order by the Lusaka High
Court which on Monday rejected an application for leave to apply for
judicial review by Kansanshi Mine.
The bailiffs, who arrived at the mine around 11:00 hours only managed
to force their way past mine security at the main entrance after an
hour’s struggle but were again blocked from advancing inside the mine
premises.
Sheriffs of Zambia official, Christopher Sakalunda said the action was carried out on behalf of Solwezi town clerk’s warrant.
Mr Sakalunda said the sheriffs were looking for any moveable items,
including mining equipment and machinery from the plant to recover
money the mining firm owed the council.
Sheriffs of Zambia hired 62 drivers to move motors vehicles from mine plant to Solwezi Magistrates’ Court.
Twelve trucks impounded yesterday are parked at the Solwezi show
grounds while the motor vehicles impounded on Wednesday are parked at
the Solwezi Magistrates Court.
The town clerk’s warrant shows that Kansanshi had failed to pay K5 billion land rates for 2008.
The amount went up to K7.5 billion because the council had computed ground rates for this year up to June.
The warrant was issued on November 27, last year but Kansanshi applied for leave to apply for judicial review.
Kansanshi was granted stay of warrant of distress on December 1, last year.
Kansanshi Mine public relations manager Geoffrey Msiska said yesterday
that management was assessing the impact of the bailiffs’ action.
He said it was unfortunate that bailiffs seized some goods that did not belong to Kansanshi.
Mr Msiska was referring to 12 trucks laden with copper cathodes and
concentrates destined for Durban and smelters on the Copperbelt that
were seized yesterday.
He warned the bailiffs to prepare for litigation with the owners of the finished copper cathodes destined for Durban.
Daily Mail
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