Published by the government of Zimbabwe
20 May 2008
Harare — THE Grain Marketing Board has cancelled licences of two millers and suspended those of three others for various offences that include overpricing and diverting their maize allocations meant for maize-meal production to the black market.
Zimfoods had its licence cancelled after it was convicted by a magistrates' court for diverting maize allocated to it from GMB to make maputi (popcorn) instead of producing maize-meal.
"Zimfoods was last month found guilty by a Harare magistrate of diverting about 59 tonnes of maize meant for mealie-meal production and produced maputi," said GMB public relations manager Mrs Muriel Zemura.
GK Millers' licence was annulled after it was found guilty of overcharging.
"GK Millers had its licence revoked after being convicted of overcharging mealie-meal while its proprietor, Mr A. Kabaya, paid an admission of guilt fine at the courts leading to the cancellation of the licence," said Mrs Zemura.
Three other millers -- Murehwa Milling Company, Utano Foods and Beta Foods -- had their licences suspended on allegations of overcharging, theft of maize by workers and making pig feed using maize meant for maize-meal.
Mrs Zemura said Murehwa Milling Company's case was still to be finalised at the courts.
"GMB officials and members of the Anti-Corruption Commission discovered that the miller was allegedly hoarding and overcharging mealie-meal," she said.
"On the other hand, Utano Foods was suspended from operating after some employees stole 30 tonnes of maize and sold it mainly on the black market.
"Beta Foods was suspended from accessing maize from GMB after the miller was found crushing maize for a piggery project."
Mrs Zemura said GMB was working hard to bring to book millers involved in illegal activities as they were tarnishing its name.
"GMB would like to thank members of the public who have alerted it on some of these illegal dealings and we would like to urge people to continue reporting these cases," she said.
The latest clampdown on errant millers comes barely two months after about 60 millers in Bulawayo were suspended for creating artificial food shortages in the city's retail shops while supplying the black market.
According to milling regulations, millers who meet certain criteria are eligible to purchase grain from GMB on the understanding that they will produce maize-meal for the retail sector.
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