Zambia High Commission in Gaborone has urged entrepreneurs in both Zambia and Botswana to access investment opportunities through established channels to reduce the risk of dealing with fake entrepreneurs.
This is in view of the rising number of cases where citizens from Zambia and Botswana are being swindled of their money in fake agro business transactions.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka, First Secretary Press Zambia High Commission, in Botswana Julia Malunga stated that the mission has received numerous complaints from agro dealers, from both Zambia and Botswana who have been swindled in the process of either trying to sell or buy agricultural produce or agro-products.
She indicated that the mission has noted the rise in the number of cases where Zambians are purporting to have agro products for sale, when in fact not.
Ms Malunga added that the mission has also noted many of the linkages between and among agro dealers have been established through unverified social media and other online platforms.
“The High Commission notes that there are a lot of opportunities for mutually beneficial trade between Botswana and Zambia that are not fully exploited, and that the current trend may result in reduced trade activities between the two countries especially for small and medium scale entrepreneurs. This may tarnish the image of Zambia which is currently a trusted trade partner in the region and beyond,” she stated.
Ms Malunga said that the High Commission has encouraged entrepreneurs to engage it for verification of companies before they conclude any business transactions across the border.
Because of hunger and high cost of living, Zambians have started turning in to crooks like Congolese. In the past Zambians have been known to be good people in the region. Now with Mealie meal at three time the price it was two years ago, Zambians are finding it hard to eat.
Why are Zambians hungry? When Chipuba became president, the top of his agenda was to destroy the economy of the Southern Province, which had been the real backbone of the Zambian economy producing all the electricity, sugar, coal, maize and beef. In a short order, the agricultural output of the province plummeted by 80%. Chiluba closed all the government cattle dips, and when there was a hoof and mouse disease outbreak, Chiluba refused to raise a finger. When this resulted in a plummet in maize production, he refused to raise his fingers. Meanwhile, he took almost $20 million, most of it raised in Southern Province and tried to stock cattle in Luapula and Northern Province. What am I saying? I am saying that it is your fault, all of you who supported Chiluba and Satan
When crooks are found, cage them. They can find free nshima in prison.