Government Heightens Crackdown on Copperbelt Mealie Meal Smuggling

Zambia’s government has increased focus on efforts to curb the cross-border smuggling of staple food mealie meal, much of it into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Minister of Copperbelt Province, Hon. Elisha Matambo, has been accompanying security forces during missions, to observe the clampdown.

Security officials disclosed that they had conducted investigations in the border zones of Kasumbalesa, Mikambo and Sakania; smugglers were apprehended, and equipment used in the smuggling was seized. Hon. Matambo described the mealie meal smuggling as increasing in sophistication, and encouraged Copperbelt residents to join the fight. 

The government has adopted a number of approaches to tackling the issue. The possibility of deploying aerial surveillance to monitor the region is currently being explored. Solar meal milling plants are also being renovated for full use across the country, and the Ministries of Agriculture and Green Economy have received ample funding to develop crop production technology and diversification – all ensuring that arable crops in Zambia are maximised, harvested and processed more reliably.

The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Mutolo Phiri, has stated that the current maize stores of 342,000 metric tonnes represent one and a half months’ supply of maize for national consumption. The past two harvests both recorded in the top three harvests in Zambia’s history, leading to more maize being exported than normal and leaving more maize than usual vulnerable to criminal activity. This year’s harvest begins in May, and another bumper harvest is likely to be observed, hence the government’s strong crackdowns on smuggling of the staple crop.

Image via ZNBC.