RESIDENTS of Mulungwa village in Sinazongwe were forced to relieve the painful loss of their loved ones as they watched in shock and disbelief their dead relatives exhumed from their graves and relocated to give way to a coal mine.

The traumatised villagers of senior chief Mweemba’s area say they have never heard of or experienced such a thing in their lives.

But senior chief Mweemba’s representative Benson Siamujansi said the re-location of the graves was not deliberate but meant to facilitate new mining activities by the African Power Coal Mine.

ZANIS reports that Siamujansi was speaking in Sinazongwe shortly before the commencement of the exhuming exercise.

According to reports, the atmosphere was ripe with grief as sombre-looking relatives watched in in shock their dead relatives getting expelled from what was meant to be their eternal resting homes.

According to reports, African Coal Power Coal Mine has since commenced mining operations in Sinazongwe to produce first grade coal.

The mining giant is set to expand its operations hence the relocation of the graves to facilitate mining activities in the area.

The region is now host to three mining firms operating from Sinazongwe in addition to Maamba collieries and Collum Coal Mine.

Kalemba