Zambia (Siavonga): Siavonga District Commissioner Geoffrey Jakopo has warned traders in the area not to engage in Mealie meal smuggling.
Jakopo has also warned the traders that the law will punish whoever is caught smuggling Mealie meal, adding that the government is trying to protect the sector by all means, hence intervening through the supply of cheaper commodities.
He called on the traders not to exaggerate the prices of the commodities and to ensure that the right thing is done.
Media reports that Jakopo reiterated the need for stakeholders to work together to curb smuggling and stabilize the commodity’s availability on the market in the area.
He said the government has implemented various interventions to curb rampant mealie meal smuggling, such as registering all traders in the district.
Jakopo added that the rise of mealie meal traders calls for more surveillance and monitoring to ensure that ordinary Zambians access the commodity at a cheaper price and are not exploited due to smuggling, which is causing the shortage.
He called on the security wings and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to ensure strict surveillance and monitoring, especially on water bodies and other hot spots for smuggling.
“We shall not allow this thing to continue happening in this district; this mealie meal is meant for Siavonga residents and not other countries; please let us all ensure that this vice is curtailed and curbed; as a government, we shall not tolerate this practice, ” he stated.
Speaking earlier, mealie meal traders in the area explained how challenging it has been on their part to transport the commodity to the district from Lusaka and other places with the restrictions at the checkpoint mounted by the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
A representative of the traders, Derrick Hajila, disclosed how the situation has affected the business for them.
He called on the government to expedite the process of capturing mealie meal traders to ensure that transportation clearance at the checkpoint is done without difficulties.