ERB raids illegal fuel dealers

Three fuel tankers have been impounded and about 37 people arrested in a crackdown on illegal fuel sites in Lusaka.

The joint operation which involved the Energy Regulation Board, the Drug Enforcement Commission and the Zambia Police also resulted in the recovery of 140 drums of fuel from four raided fuel sites in the light industrial area.

ERB Public Relations Manager Kwali Mfuni in a statement to QFM News says the joint inspection team was acting on tips from members of the public and Oil Marketing Companies following reports of widespread illegal fuel vending activities and tanker drivers allegedly supplying fuel uplifted from the Lusaka fuel depot to illegal fuel vendors.

Ms. Mfuni says the raids were conducted on Wednesday, 18th November at two sites along Mzilikazi road and two other locations off Katanga road all in the light industrial area.

She explains that fuel was being adulterated with kerosene as evidenced by buckets with fuel which had been abandoned near the drums.
Ms Mfuni says the ERB has collected samples from the confiscated fuel for further investigations.