By Patson Chilemba
Senior defence sources are wondering why Zambia National Service has embarked on exporting mealie meal when the country is grappling with escalating prices of the commodity.
“The whole thing does not make sense at all because initially, this idea of coming up with the ZNS mealie meal plants was meant to keep the soaring prices in check” the sources wondered .
“It appears there are a lot of vested interests in this judging by the fact that the export was not officially announced.”
Daily Revelation has in its possession images of a ZNS branded bag of mealie meal clearly emblazoned “For Export” which clearly defeats claims by President Hakainde Hichilema that he is trying to lower prices of the staple food.
“The biggest problem is this ‘I know it all’ type by Gen Solochi of not consulting. Even this same export issue of mealie meal came as a shock and huge surprise to many of us taking into account the pronouncements that President Hichilema and the New Dawn government have been making to ensure mealie meal prices are speedily reduced” the sources further said.
When contacted for comment on the matter, ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi referred queries to his public relations person Colonel Mulenga Nyone.
Col Nyone was asked if the mealie meal produced by ZNS was also meant for exports or simply to supplement the local market given the scarcity and high prices of the mealie meal.
Daily Revelation also asked to know the amounts spent monthly by ZNS on producing the commodity and how much has been earned since the project started.
Responding, Col Nyone claimed that all the produce was meant for the local market.
“Good afternoon sir, thank you for reaching out to clarify your questions. You may wish to note that ZNS is currently producing mealie meal from Monze, Mpika, Silverest in Lusaka and Chingola in partnership with MUSS Milling. All the mealie meal produced at the above plants is for local consumption to mitigate both availability and affordability of the commodity,” Col Nyone stated.
“But we have images of mealie meal produced by yourselves inscribed on them (for exports). What does that mean? And how much are you spending on a monthly basis for producing the commodity and how much have you earned from the same since the project started?” the journalist retorted.
Responding later, Col Nyone indicated that ZNS was also involved in the importation of mealie meal from South Africa, which they in turn export to other countries.
“We are also exporting mealie meal that we are importing from South Africa under one Eagles Milling which is a Company under ZNS,” claimed Col Nyone.
One of the numbers appearing on the sack for the mealie meal meant for exports was called and the voice of the person who answered identified the milling company in question as the Lusaka ZNS milling.
