Through Statutory Instrument 97 of 2021, the Government
restricts the selling of maize and soya beans only to registered players.
In a latest statement, GMB advised the public that the
selling of maize and soya beans remains controlled in terms of the Grain
Marketing Act, Chapter 18:14.
Among those whose commodities have been confiscated are Mr
Temba Mliswa in Karoi who is facing charges of side marketing 40 000 tonnes of
maize and Mr Cosmas Jerera who had 40 000 tonnes of maize and is also from
Karoi.
Other farmers facing similar charges include Mr Shumba
Shame (30 000 tonnes of maize) from Concession, and Mr Teddy Nakawa (30 000
tonnes of soya beans) from Chinhoyi.
“No one is allowed to sell or buy maize other than through
GMB unless if one is a bona fide contractor registered with Agricultural
Marketing Authority (AMA),” said the entity.
“GMB is working with the law enforcement agents to ensure
compliance with the provisions of the Act.
“Anyone found in violation of the Act and the SI shall be
prosecuted and risk forfeiture and shall pay a fine three times the marketing
value of the controlled product in his or her possession,” it said.
The grain utility has also appealed to members of the
public to report any illegal grain trading to the nearest depot or police
station.
Meanwhile, GMB is expecting an intake of 1,9 million tonnes
of grain from farmers during this year’s marketing season that began on April.
The parastatal is also engaging transporters to ferry the
grain from over 1 300 collection points that have so far been established
across the country to nearby GMB depots. GMB has 88 depots countrywide.
Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment