Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo has since warned smuggler’s to stop what he termed as ‘nonsense’ as they stand to be arrested.
Mr Matambo said smuggler’s are depriving citizens of mealie meal which is meant to be shelved for consumption, thus the warning to ensure that those found wanting will be dealt with.
He was speaking in Chililabombwe to check on mealie meal situation as it is reported that some people are smuggling the commodity to sale in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Mr Matambo was briefed by the District Commissioner Precious Njekwa who disclosed that around 8,000 bags of mealie meal have so far been seized from suspected smugglers.
Ms Njekwa said vehicles, bicycles and motor bikes had been seized as they were found carrying the commodity, but that the law is up to task.
“We have seized about 25 motor vehicles, 53 bicycles and some motor bikes that were carrying mealie meal destined to be snuggled into DRC. However, quick intervention by our men and women in uniform who are alert have ensure the commodity was seized before it could cross over,” he said.
In response, the Copperbelt Minister warned smuggler’s that the law will deal with them as they are depriving citizens of the commodity.
“Let us stop the nonsense. Mealie meal should be in the households, but is now being smuggled into DRC illegally. This is now depriving citizens who are supposed to buy the commodity at affordable prices and is also leading to panic buying,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Matambo who also visited millers In Ndola and Luanshya warned that smuggler’s should stop sabotaging Government efforts of food security.
Mr Matambo advised millers and retailers that they should offload mealie meal on the market and not channel it into smuggling because the vice is causing a premature shortage of the commodity.
” Millers and retailers should not be part of those sabotaging Government over mealie-meal, but should instead work with Government to help feed our people. Anyone who will be found wanting will have themselves to blame as your licence will be revoked,” he said.
