‘Enough is enough,’ says minister Matambo as govt vows to crush forces behind Chingola violence

Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, has condemned the violent protests staged by illegal miners in Chingola, vowing that the government would not tolerate destruction of public property.

The protests, led by illegal miners commonly known as Jerabos, erupted in Chingola following reports that the owners of the Sensele copper dump site had issued an ultimatum for them to vacate the area.Matambo expressed strong displeasure over the unrest, stating that the government had consistently engaged both the miners and the site owners in efforts to maintain peace.

“I am very disappointed with the conduct of the Jerabos in Chingola. That was nonsense. We have been holding meetings with the Jerabos and the mine owner, the most recent one being at State House,” he said.

He warned that law enforcement officers have now been deployed to markets and streets in Chingola and will arrest anyone involved in illegal or violent activities.

“The government will not tolerate such behaviour. Anyone who causes violence or destroys public property will face the full force of the law,” he said.

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