‘Police officers’ attack, rob Chinese of mineral

‘Police officers’ attack, rob Chinese of mineral

By George Zulu

ARMED criminals wearing Zambia Police Service uniform attacked a Chinese investor at gun point and robbed him of minerals worth K315,000 and K8,500 cash.

Police have launched a manhunt for the dangerous bandits.

According to officers close to the investigations, Jiang Yuie, 43, of Humba area in Choma, reported that he was attacked by one armed police officer in uniform and other officers in plain cloths carrying pistols.

The officers said the one who was armed with an AK47 riffle was in full police uniform while the other two were in plain cloths, an operation that could point at police officers working with Jiang business partners.

Southern Province commanding officer Auxensio Daka said a manhunt had been launched to search for the criminals.

“…at approximately 13:10 hours, Choma Police Station received a report of aggravated robbery from Mr Jiang Yuie, aged 43, of Humba area in Choma, the export manager of Mingjiju Import and Export Company which deals in Aqua minerals. He reported that unknown male persons armed with one AK-47 rifle and a pistol, robbed him of K8,500.00 in cash and stole 6.2 tonnes of aquamarine low mineral, valued at K315,000.00. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at K323,500.00,” Daka said.

Daka said the robbery happened on June 30 between 22:00 hours and 23:00 hours near Kozo.

Jiang was asleep in his room when he was awakened by his workers, who informed him that there were individuals outside claiming to be police officers.

Daka said Jiang instructed his workers to tell the supposed officers to return in the morning before they turned aggressive.

“However, the individuals became aggressive and threatened to break down the door. One worker peeped through the window and observed one suspect in a green striped uniform carrying an AK-47 rifle and another in civilian clothing. The workers then opened the door. Upon entry, the suspects forced the occupants to sit on the floor and demanded money, which Mr Yuie handed over,” he said.

Daka said the criminals were driving a Land Cruiser and had time to load the mineral identified as aquamarine before they took off and that no arrests had been made.

“…the suspects took one of the workers with the keys outside, leaving one suspect to guard Mr Yuie and another worker. Outside, the suspects had a white Land Cruiser (registration number unknown) and a Hino truck, which they used to load the stolen aquamarine. The suspects departed the scene at around 23:00 hours, taking with them the complainant’s motor vehicle keys. No arrests have been made and no property has been recovered yet. Investigations into the matter have been instituted,” Daka said.