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Smuggled mealie meal intercepted in Chililabombwe

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THE Chililabombwe District Joint Operations Committee (DJOC) against smuggling has intercepted over 500 bags of mealie meal which were about to be smuggled into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the last two weeks.

The committee, which comprises officers from the Zambia Police, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Immigration Department, has also prosecuted and convicted six people during their intensified operations aimed at curbing mealie meal and maize smuggling.

Speaking when outgoing Coppperbelt Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Musonda, visited Kasumbalesa Border Post, DJOC Chairperson, Richard Kabwe, intimated that the committee had impounded 19 bicycles that were being used by smugglers.

Mr Kabwe, who is also Chililabombwe Police Officer in Charge, said the operations had also resulted into the arrest of 11 prohibited immigrants who have since been handed over to the immigration department.

He said about 300 bags of impounded mealie meal had been auctioned by the magistrates’ court while more court cases involving smuggling were yet to take off.

Last week, the committee impounded two Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mini-buses for allegedly smuggling mealie meal from Zambia through Kasumbalesa Border Post.

The committee also intercepted a Zambian and a DRC truck after they attempted to smuggle about 70 bags of mealie meal, concealed in cerelac baby food boxes that were being exported from Lusaka to the DRC.

And Ms Musonda commended the officers for their tireless efforts in curbing smuggling which posses a danger on the nation’s food security, saying the ban on maize and mealie meal exportation was still in effect.

Ms Musonda said the Zambian government was scheduled to hold a meeting with their DRC counterparts at which the issue of smuggling will be discussed with a view of finding a lasting solution.

She said the Consul General from the DRC offices in Ndola had officially apologized for the two diplomatic vehicles that were impounded in connection with mealie meal smuggling.

The outgoing Copperbelt Permanent Secretary reiterated the need for neighbouring countries to respect Zambian laws as well as the need for mutual respect and understanding among nations.

ZANIS/ENDS/VM/EB.

38 COMMENTS

  1. Smuggling into DRC and Zimbambwe is certainly not alright. It tells me that Zambia must put put measures that will make Zambia a food basket to the countrys around through export of agric products

  2. “Ms Musonda said the Zambian government was scheduled to hold a meeting with their DRC counterparts at which the issue of smuggling will be discussed with a view of finding a lasting solution.”

    What’s there to sit down & discuss? It’s just all about tightening security measures on the border posts!

  3. Ba Mrs Musonda, can you explain how you managed to put up a borehole at Tudor Inn, pay for air tickets for your husband and children to go for a holiday in Ameria, and how money was being deposited in your personal accounts. Those eight suspended Copperbelt Province accountants have all this information. You must sit tight pantu balaifumya data yonse iyi. You must join Samuel Musonda in jail.

  4. During Kaunda days, smuggling was the order of the day. Chiluba and Mwanawasa fought this thing and now Ndalama Banda brought up and groomed by KK has brought back smuggling. Shame Rupiah Banda. You are really incompetent. No wonder you have accommodated Vernon Mwaanga in your parliament.

  5. Smuggling of mealie meal did not start yesterday or 3 days ago..
    This has been a problem time memorial..
    let us ask ourselves—Who can sort out this problem??
    and who is responsible for this problem?
    If the previous presidents failed to stop this trafficking of mealie meal what can RB do?

    #13,Nine Chale,
    Have you ever been to Kasumbalesa border post??,
    You will come back without shoes… lol :-t:-t=))=))

  6. #1 nine chale
    Havent u got anything better to do than wait to be the 1st to post # 1 crap on this blog ? The Germans are dissapointing me, i thought they do not tolorate loafers, your case is proving me wrong. Maybe thats were i should send my no good loafing nephew. To sit all day and wait to be 1st on a bloog.

  7. The solution is simple, grow extra more maize such that you will have no where to store the excess ,hence exporting some and not smuggling.

  8. Maize smuggling is shame but this goes a long way to show how good our agricultural policies are. I totally agree with the last observer. Also diversify in terms of staple food. Not akabwali lonse! let the people embrace the idea of having some crop of somekind at the backyard of their houses. It is happening here and we get all what we need from the markets 24/7. No season for fresh maize, mangos, pineapples e.c.t

  9. To be first to post you need a program that sends you a message when a certain page has been changed.

    Example – When you the main page is updated you are told.
    Simple.
    If the law is no exporting of maize why is even one bag allowed to taken across the borders?
    What price did the magistrate get for the auctioned maize?
    Was it sold to a Zambian?

  10. Why are people fussing about others being number one on the blogg? Its just a bit of fun so don’t fret about it, just join in the game. No harm in that. Morning bloggers????

  11. For smuggling to stop, it should start with the top government officials whose trucks pass without being checked by the Police and the so called Joint fimo fimo. Arresting and impounding a bicycle of a poor man trying to make abit of money for school fees is very worrying and unfair while trucks laden with tons of millie meal belonging to nyandules in Government are never touched.
    Can one explain why the outgoing PS is always in Kasumbalesa? I guess to make sure certain trucks pas with ease. :d/

  12. #21 kc send me your nephew so he can work (tamanga) for me while I blog! :d

    PS. there are several ways of earning money passively in Germany if you’re smart enough!:)>-

  13. #30, Nine Chale,
    You havent answered my question at #19.
    Have you been to Kasumbalesa Border post? I still say you will come back without your shoes..
    Ba kasai ba chintinya sana kumyabo. *-:)*-:)*-:)*-:)8-x8-x

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