FILE PHOTO: The operation was carried out by the task force in conjunction with Chongwe Municipal Council police
JOHN KOMBE writes
A SECRET drinking spree in the bush ended suddenly when Chongwe covid19 taskforce pounced on the gathering as the imbibers scampered.
Some Chongwe residents and charcoal burners from Bauleni in Lusaka were found drinking beer in the forest in Kamunyeke in Chief Nkhomeshya’s chiefdom.
The charcoal burners and other people who were enjoying beer, scampered upon seeing a COVID-19 task force.
Chongwe District Commissioner (DC), Robster Mwanza, confirmed the development to The Sun in an interview yesterday.
“It is unbelievable that people can take their bars in the bush. This is a recipe for the spread of Covid-19. You cannot hide from mischief, we will catch up with any wrong doer,” he warned.
The operation was carried out by the task force in conjunction with Chongwe Municipal Council police, State Police, Forest Department and officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Department.
The DC said the forest in Kamunyeke had been turned into a free charcoal burning zone and drunkards’ den.
He disclosed that the team found residents trading in beer while charcoal burners also went about their illegal business.
Mr Mwanza said his office would not allow the enemies of the environment to continue destroying the ecosystem.
He said that indiscriminate tree cutting in the area was alarming and must be curbed forthwith.
The DC said he was reliably informed that some villagers were hosting charcoal burners and doing business with them.
Mr Mwanza noted that such people were reckless as they did not use face masks and did not observe social distance.
