Maize harvest stolen from Zambian farmers

COMMERCIAL farmers in Zambia face a serious threat of their annual maize harvest being stolen and then sold in towns.

Mpongwe District Commissioner (DC) Miniver Mutesa has warned villagers that they risk being prosecuted and jailed if they continue with the habit of stealing maize and other cash crops from farmers which they later sell to briefcase businessmen who usually flock to the area during the harvesting period.Mutesa said the district administration, the police and other State security wings were working out measures, which were aimed at curbing such thefts. She expressed hope that the new measures, which were being introduced in the area would see to it all those involved in the theft were dealt with in accordance with the law.’Those who have been encouraging the villagers to steal the maize which they later buy in large quantities, have been taking advantage of the limited police patrols but let me warn all those involved in criminal activities in this area that their days are numbered,’ she said.Mutesa said the continued thefts of maize and other cash crops was retrogressive and negatively affecting the investors’ confidence in the area. ‘As Government, we are left with no option but to see to it that these people are ruthlessly dealt with by the law before they chase away investors from this area because of forcing them to incur huge loses due to thefts,’ she said.Speaking on behalf of the affected farmers in the Exporting Trading Company (EPZ) Zone, Tresford Mukuka said the number of people coming from towns to hire villagers to steal maize from the commercial farmers had now reached alarming levels.’We have instances where the crop from the entire combine harvester offloaded on the middle of the field and later collected by people engaged by the thieving briefcase maize traders, who later resell the maize,’ Mukuka said. – Allafrica.com