THE Zambia National Service (ZNS) in Chipata has impounded two trucks laden with maize that were destined for Malawi.
Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo said the trucks suspected to be carrying about 600 by 50 kilogramme bags each have been impounded on suspicion of smuggling the staple food outside the country.
Mr Kasolo who inspected the trucks at Mwami border on Monday redirected the trucks from Mwami border to a ZNS camp in Chipata where officers would conduct a thorough inspection of the maize before appropriate action can be taken.
The two trucks had some export documents missing while the maize was suspected to be this year’s harvest originating from Chipata.
The Permanent secretary explained that Government has not authorized the export of this year’s maize harvest and that he would engage experts from the Ministry of Agriculture to check the moisture content and verify if it was for 2015/2016 maize harvest.
Mr Kasolo said that no one has been permitted to export this year’s maize and that even the previous year’s harvest should have valid export permits before it could be exported.
And during a media briefing in his office in Chipata yesterday, Mr Kasolo warned civil servants against going against the code of ethics by participating in partisan politics.
He said it was sad to hear some reports that nine civil servants in Katete, eight civil servants in Mambwe and six civil servants in Petauke were actively campaigning for the opposition political parties.
Mr Kasolo said once the investigations were concluded, he would discipline the erring civil servants who were going against the code of ethics.
“There are disturbing reports that some civil servants in Katete, Petauke and Mambwe are currently campaigning for the opposition political parties. Nevertheless investigations are underway,” he said.
Mr Kasolo said it was also disappointing that Chipata Municipal Council was involved in the allocation of plots even in undesignated places.
He said it was sad to hear the reports that places have been allocated in front of Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and St Annes Cemetery which was not suppose to be the case.
Mr Kasolo also said Government would construct the university in Katete stating that beacons have already been erected.
The permanent secretary also revealed that Eastern Province was participating in the trade affair in the tourism sector after Eastern, Luapula, Northern and Muchinga were merged in the Northern Circuit.
The country has issues with a kwacha that has fallen to record low because of lack of exports but see here ignorant people are stopping their kwacha from gaining. Should we stop the copper from leaving the country too?
Allow exports and encourage small scale farmer to sale at least at K100 per bag, pay them on time they will buy fertilizer and produce more in the nest season. export more next season kawcha gains to K1.00 to $1.00
Obviously these trucks were for this fat albart called GBV
Mor likely called Lubinda or his boss
IT’S GOOD THAT YOU IMPOUNDED THOSE TRUCKS. PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FOOD SECURE NATION. YOU DON’T NED TO EXPORT YOUR STAPLE FOOD IN ORDER TO HAVE OUR KWACHA GAINING VALUE ON INTERNATIONAL MARKET. YOU NEED TO BE FOOD SECURE SO THAT YOU ARE NOT VULNERABLE, HENCE YOUR CURRENCY REMAINS STABLE.
I find life tough in town, then I go to my farm. I produce enough maize without GRZ support and then I look around where to sell…..!! GRZ is offering K85/ 50kg bag or K1,700/tonne. Across the border, the price is minimum $250/tonne or K2,500/tonne. For a 30 tonne truck, GRZ is offering K51,000 and across, I can make minimum K75,000. Ladies and gentlemen, this is my ówn maize im talking about. Kasolo, kodi nimilisi yanyoko iyi?? I repeat, is this your mother’s maize to be making news over my sweat? Those of you who want food security, go and grow your own maize or better still GRZ should wait for those who benefitted from FISP, so it can subsidise the guys in town. Fine, may be should sell across using bicycles then……!!
A distinction should be made between those who benefited from FISP and those who didn’t. And as for those civil servants campaigning for political parties, you could also have talked about those campaigning for PF. It should not only be a problem when it’s not PF benefiting.
Tone down guys l understand how you feel. This is not the time nor the right time to start politicking. Let the authorities come up with answers first as whose maize it is and if indeed export documentation are in order.
This is perhaps just truck impounded, we don’t know how many have gone undetected.
Check out those mwenyes too in the Chipata area, those guys are known to be extremely crafty when it comes to such business.
Foolish Zambians. Grow your own maize. I really fail to understand. If it is FRA maize well and good but if its personal maize, then this is foolish action.
Just get the impounded maize, take it to ZCF for production of cheap mealie and burn the trucks so that the culprits/owners will learn a lesson. Why waste time here?
We are told that the national has enough maize in its strategic reserves then why not allow farmers and businessmen get advantage of the price across the country so that people earn more money in their pockets and get more dollars to support their business.
Can government allow export of maize please.