The Mansa Subordinate Court has convicted and sentenced two former District Commissioners, Robert Mutepuka of Nchelenge and Morton Sikazwe of Mwansabombwe, along with six others, for illegal mining and related offenses. The co-accused are Jones Nkandu, Kelvin Mulenga, Masauso Jere, Obbrey Simauki, Mulenga Chilufya, and Joshua Chimuli.

The convictions were on three counts: Count 1, Illegal Mining, contrary to sections 12(1) and (3) of the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015; Count 2, Conveying Property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained, contrary to section 319(b) of the Penal Code Cap 87; and Count 3, Giving False Information to a Public Officer, contrary to section 125(a) of the Penal Code, which applied only to Jones Nkandu.

Sentences were as follows: Count 1, a fine of K10,000 each and 5 months imprisonment with hard labor, effective July 24, 2025; Count 2, a fine of K2,000 each and 5 months imprisonment with hard labor, effective July 24, 2025; and Count 3, a fine of K600 and 3 months imprisonment with hard labor, effective July 24, 2025. All fines are cumulative, with imprisonment sentences running concurrently.

Some of the accused individuals held various positions in government before the trial. Joshua Chimuli, Masauso Jere and Chilufya Mulenga are police officers based at Mansa Police Station. While some other convicts are former DCs

The case was prosecuted by State Advocates Samson Zulu, Wilson Mwale, and Colin Kabalata, while the defense was handled by Wezi Mwandila.