Kambwili Labels Lusambo Fool On Mealie Meal Fiasco
NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili has criticised Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo for his heavy-handed approach following reports of mealie meal panic buying.
Lusambo has reportedly ordered the arrest of youths who were seeking to buy multiple bags of the commodity at Shoprite Matero. He visited the store accompanied by armed police officers and proceeded to confront several youths.
“Certainly, Lusaka Province minister Bowman Lusambo is misbehaving. We have stooped so low as a country to allow a minister to go and harass people in shops,” Kambwili stated.
“We have the police, council police, in fact, it’s not even a question of Zambia police. Selling of mealie-meal is an issue of trading licences. Trading licences are monitored by the municipal councils and the city councils. There is no way that we can have the whole minister going to sit in Shoprite telling people not to buy two or three bags of mealie-meal,” he continued.
“Then that minister has nothing to do and that minister can only be described as a fool. And I think Lusambo is the biggest fool this country has ever seen,” he added.
Recent reports of mealie meal shortages across the country have prompted panic buying and increased prices in some areas.
The reports follow last year’s drought, during which 2.3 million people were affected according to the Minister in the Office of the Vice President Olipa Phiri.
Reacting to reports of shortages, the Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) last week warned against panic buying, stating that there is enough maize to last until the next harvest. MAZ President Andrew Chintala accused some traders of exploiting the current situation in order to charge higher prices.
Agriculture minister Michael Katambo has also previously stated that there are sufficient stocks available. He has maintained that the retail price is still K135 to K137 for a 25kg bag of breakfast meal, as is printed on the bags. However, reports circulating online suggest prices are as high as K230 in Kabwe.
The minister warned those looking to exploit current rumours of shortages by charging a price higher than that printed on the bag will be apprehended.
Zambia recorded an annual inflation rate of 13.9% in February 2020. The figure was a further increase on the rate of 12.5% in January 2020, and 11.7% in December, and is the highest rate in almost three years.
The rate of year-on-year food inflation stands at a staggering 15.9%, meaning on average the price of food is 15.9% more expensive than it was in February 2019.
In 2019 inflation started at 7.9% but rose following increased food prices as a result of drought and a poor maize harvest. The current rate is double the Bank of Zambia’s target of between 6 and 8%.
