CITIZENS WARNED AGAINST MEALIE MEAL SELLS

UPND Mafumba Ward Councillor Mabby Siachibaka has warned people in his area who are allegedly reselling the eagle branded mealie meal that they risked being prosecuted if caught.

Mr. Siachibaka said government has come up with the initiative in order to reduce the staggering prices of the commodity which most people are failing to afford.

Mr. Siachibaka warned that reselling the 25 kilogram bags of mealie-meal at exorbitant prices are frustrating government’s plans to bring down the price.

He said the mealie meal being produced by Zambia National Service (ZNS) is meant to cushion the prices of the commodity, while making it available.

The civic leader told ZANIS in an interview that some unscrupulous people from Kalomo and Livingstone are re-selling in his ward, a 25 kilogram bag of breakfast meal at K480 and roller of the same weight at K465.

He categorically dismissed that there is a shortage of the staple food in Zimba district.

He however admitted that there is hunger in his ward largely caused by the drought experienced in last year's farming season.

"It has come to my attention that some unscrupulous businessmen are exploiting the people in remote parts of Zimba by selling Eagles brand mealie meal at exorbitant price/s.

These people are not helping government in cushioning the hunger situation,” he explained.

ZANIS reports that a 25 kilogram bag of breakfast Eagle mealie meal is selling at K295 while roller meal is selling at K275 as opposed to hiked prices by the mealie-meal vendors.

And Zimba District Commissioner (DC) Robson Mulamfu said law enforcement officers in the district are on high alert.

The DC said defense wings will soon swing into action and bring to book the culprits, adding that the law is going to be applied on anyone found wanting.