A CRACKDOWN on environmental offenders has seen the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) officials arrest the plant supervisor of Dashun Industry Company Limited, a zinc oxide smelter in Kabwe, for defying a government shutdown order and continuing to operate illegally.
The arrest of Cao Honjian followed an impromptu inspection by ZEMA on November 1, 2025, which revealed that the smelting plant was still running despite a directive to cease operations due to persistent pollution and non-compliance with environmental laws.
ZEMA had accused the company of illegally releasing zinc oxide into the environment, posing serious health and safety risks to nearby communities.
The company’s refusal to comply with repeated directives pushed the regulator to escalate enforcement.
According to ZEMA corporate affairs manager Ruth Kamwi, the agency had issued a Compliance Order in October 2023, demanding that the company halt operations and rectify the violations.
Kamwi said when that was ignored, a Notice of Intention to Counsel its operating license was issued in May 2024, requiring the surrender of all licenses on October 23, z2025.
However, the company continued production in defiance of the law, triggering the arrest of Cao and the full suspension of all plant activities.
Kamwi said ZEMA would not hesitate to act against companies that disregard environmental regulations.
“Environmental compliance is mandatory and non-negotiable. The Agency will not hesitate to take stern regulatory action, including prosecution, against violators,” she added.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba November 9, 2025
