Former Police Chief Arrested in Alleged Copper Theft Case

Former Copperbelt Province Commanding Officer, Yuyi Mwala, has been arrested and charged with theft by public servant in connection with the alleged theft of 436 copper cathodes valued at approximately US$448,596.

Zambia Police says Mr. Mwala is among six people charged following investigations into the disappearance of the copper cathodes, which were recovered in Mokambo, Mufulira District, between March 6 and March 9, 2026.

The other suspects are police officers Patrick Muti and Boniface Nchimunya, Clerk of Court Obrian Chipunza, Magistrate Edward Banda, and businessman Daniel Makina.

They face various charges including theft by public servant, giving false information to a public officer, and receiving property suspected to have been stolen.

According to police, the copper was being transported from the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Africa when the truck car