Joint Task Force Cracks Down on Illegal Fuel Vending in Lusaka: Eight Arrested, 4,695 Litres of Fuel Seized
Lusaka, Zambia – October 24, 2024
In a sweeping operation led by Zambia’s Joint Task Force on Illegal Fuel Vending, eight people were arrested, and nearly 5,000 litres of illegally stored fuel were seized in an effort to curb unlawful fuel sales in Lusaka and nearby areas.
The operation, conducted by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in collaboration with the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and other law enforcement agencies, began on October 23rd and continued through the early hours of October 24th. Targeted raids were carried out at various suspected illegal fuel vending sites across Lusaka Province, including Mukwa Road, Katanga Road, Matero Compound, Nampundwe Junction, Chifwema near Sinoma Cement, and sites in Chongwe, Shimabala, and Six Miles.
Authorities seized approximately 4,695 litres of fuel, valued at over ZMW 153,526, along with 20 drums, 30 twenty-litre containers, four pumps, five ten-litre containers, a generator, and a tanker truck outfitted with siphoning pipes. The tanker was impounded on suspicion that fuel had been illegally siphoned from it. Among the eight individuals detained was one suspected prohibited immigrant, highlighting the broad reach of the illegal network.
Risks to Public Safety and Economy
The DEC and ERB emphasized that illegal fuel vending poses substantial risks, not only in terms of public safety but also to Zambia’s economy. Allan Tamba, Public Relations Officer for the DEC, noted that “illegal fuel vending jeopardizes vehicle engines due to the likely contamination of fuel, risks fires due to improper storage, and evades essential taxes, thus impacting the national revenue.”
Improper storage of fuel poses a serious fire hazard that can endanger lives and property, while the sale of potentially contaminated fuel undermines vehicle performance and safety. Namukolo Kasumpa, ERB’s Public Relations Manager, warned consumers against buying fuel from unlicensed sources, as only licensed vendors are regulated for quality and safety.
Task Force’s Call to Action
The ERB and DEC strongly urge Zambians to report any suspicious fuel vending activities to law enforcement, assuring that all reports will be handled with the utmost seriousness. The Task Force has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling illegal fuel operations and maintaining consumer safety standards across the country.
This latest operation is part of the Task Force’s broader mission to curb illegal fuel vending, with further actions expected in the coming months.
Issued By:
Allan Tamba, Public Relations Officer, Drug Enforcement Commission
Namukolo Kasumpa, Public Relations Manager, Energy Regulation Board
The Task Force’s determination to protect Zambian citizens and secure the integrity of the fuel sector continues to gain momentum as these efforts to combat illegal vending persist.