Elisha Matambo, the Minister for Copperbelt Province in Zambia, has announced the establishment of a task force aimed at curbing the smuggling of maize across all border areas. Matambo stated that the task force will be responsible for patrolling the areas around the clock and that anyone found to be involved in smuggling will face arrest, while any commodities or vehicles impounded risk being forfeited to the state.
According to Matambo, the smuggling of mealie meals to neighbouring countries has contributed to the shortages and high prices of the commodity in the province and other parts of the country. He went on to describe the smuggling as a syndicate that is well organised and designed to intentionally damage the government’s image.
During an interview, he stated that all individuals involved in the criminal act will be arrested and their mealie meal and vessels forfeited. He revealed that in Ndola, 15,000 bags of mealie meal have been impounded, 5,000 bags in Kitwe, and 52 vehicles in Chililabombwe.
Matambo commended President Hakainde Hichilema for his efforts to address the mealie meal situation. He expressed his pride in having a president who is focused on finding solutions to the issue.
The Minister also assured millers on the Copperbelt that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has released sufficient quantities of maize to meet demand. He disclosed that the government has set up a task force comprising the Zambia Revenue Authority, the Zambia Police Service, the Zambia National Service, and other law enforcement agencies to deal with the situation.
In a separate interview, Reuben Mtolo Phiri, the Minister of Agriculture, revealed that the government is closely monitoring the quantities of maize being given to millers and their output. He warned that any miller found to be wanting would be set aside and expected to operate within their own confines and stock.
Phiri further stated that the cheap maize being given to the millers should result in benefits being passed on to consumers in the form of cheap mealie meal that is readily available.
In recent times, some parts of the country have reported shortages and price hikes in the commodity. The country, however, has enough maize stocks as evidenced by the consecutive bumper harvests recorded in the past few years, and the government is working to ensure that the situation is resolved.