Police in Kitwe have told a delegation of Home Affairs officials that some senior Government officials are involved in the smuggling of maize and mealie meal to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.
Kitwe District staff officer Joseph Chitabo said that the Police are fearful of losing their jobs if they arrested those perpetrating the smuggling of Mealie Meal.
Chitabo said that the people involved in the vice are senior government officials adding that it was difficult for officers to get in the way of such individuals for fear of losing their jobs.
It also came to light that Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Stephen Kampyongo is well aware of the development.
However, Mr.Kampyongo has assured the officers that the law is there to protect them and that there will be no sacred cows.
Mr Kampyongo said it was saddening to learn that some public officers were actively participating in the smuggling of mealie-meal.
Mr. Kampyongo said disciplinary measures would be given on such officers as no one is above the law.
“As Government, we have always sent food across the boarder but we have to control the movement of illegality. It does not pay to watch crime and ignore it,” Mr. Kampyongo said.
Agriculture Deputy Minister Rogers Mwewa said Government would ensure that all those involved in the smuggling of mealie meal were dealt with and commended Copperbelt Police Commissioner Mary Tembo for trying had to stop the smuggling.
Meanwhile, Government has directed mealie-meal traders at Kasumbalesa boarder to remove the commodity from their depots at the boarder and sale it in Chililabombwe within 24 hours.
Home Affairs deputy minister Alfrida Kansembe said all mealie-meal traders at the boarders should sale the commodity at a retail price from Chililabombwe shops.
Ms Kansembe said during an on-the-spot check that Government will seize the mealie-meal and demolish the depots at the border if the directive was not implemented.
Ms Kansembe, flanked by Home Affairs deputy minister Stephen Kapyongo and Agriculture deputy minister Rogers Mwewa, said Government was aware that mealie-meal was being sold at exorbitant prices at an expense of poor Zambians.
“We have given you two days to start offloading the mealie-meal bags to Chililabombwe retail shops and police officers will ensure that all mealie-meal is moved and sold at K55,000.
“Get trade permits otherwise government will seize your mealie-meal and demolish all these depots, we cannot watch you participate in illegality,” she said.
And Assistant commissioner of police Kannedy Chiswe said police had recovered 24,532 25kg bags of mealie-meal, 1033 abandoned ones, 2820 50kg sugar bags and 57 bicycles.
Mr Chiswe said some people were given money in advance to supply mealie-meal.
Source: ZANIS
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