By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has called on residents in the Kasumbalesa border area to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the vital commodity of mealie meal.
Speaking during his visit to Chisenda, where a ZNS officer recently shot a civilian who attempted to seize the officer’s firearm in an attempt to smuggle Meali meal into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Kawana emphasized the importance of food security as national security.
“It is crucial that we protect what is vital for our nation. What good is money if there is no food to buy?” Mr. Kawana remarked.
He stressed the need for community cooperation with law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling, which he described as a threat to the country’s economic stability.
The incident in Chisenda, where a civilian confronted a ZNS officer during an attempted smuggling operation, highlighted the dangers of such illegal activities.
“The impunity exercised by civilians in such confrontations jeopardizes our economic development,” he said.
He assured that the incident is being investigated and that the civilian involved will face legal action once discharged from medical care.
Mr Kawana warned smugglers that the government is intensifying measures to curb smuggling.
He also cautioned transporters to be aware of the use of their vehicles for smuggling, noting that vehicles involved will be confiscated.
Addressing misconceptions, Mr Kawana clarified that the ZNS is not confiscating mealie meal arbitrarily. Instead, they have appointed agents with contractual agreements to sell the commodity at agreed prices.
Violations of these agreements by agents will result in the confiscation of mealie meal.
He expressed concern over the involvement of children in smuggling activities, emphasizing that young students should not be used to buy mealie meal for smugglers.
During his visit to Shoprite, Mr Kawana urged the management to prevent underage purchases of mealie meal.
And ZNS Chief Public Relations and Liaison Officer Nyone Mulenga reported an increase in confrontations at the Kasumbalesa border.
She detailed a recent incident where ZNS officers, acting on a public tip-off, intercepted a vehicle smuggling 70 x 25 bags of mealie meal.
After warning shots were ignored, officers deflated the vehicle’s tires.
A subsequent confrontation led to an officer shooting and wounding the driver.
Ms Mulenga highlighted the sophisticated methods used by smugglers, including deploying “sweepers” and using children to purchase mealie meal.
She reaffirmed the ZNS’s commitment to preventing smuggling and protecting Zambia’s economic interests.
