Police engages media in maize smuggling fight

Police have called on the media in the country to guard against illegal exportation of maize as the situation is getting out of hand.

Northern Region Police commissioner Wilson Matinga made the call yesterday during a police-media interactive meeting aimed at exploring ways of curbing crime, especially maize smuggling.

Matinga said the media has to report extensively on evils of maize smuggling as police were facing various drawbacks in the fight including the law itself.

“Most of the maize is being smuggled out to neighbouring countries and we thought it wise that we engage the media to carry stories that will help people understand the evils of smuggling out the maize.

“By involving the media, messages will be carried across the country as people get information from the media,” said Matinga.

Matinga said police were doing their best to rescue the maize, but when the issues go to court the culprits are given small fines which they are able to pay and continue with the malpractice.

“As police, we are spending a lot of money and time to fight the malpractice, but when the issues go to court these rich people are fined K20 000 which to them its peanuts and they easily pay.

“Recently, we confiscated thousands of bags of maize, but the culprits got K20 000 fines,” said Matinga.

Matinga said the media has to let the people know that the country faces hunger because they sell maize to people who smuggle it out. The same buyers later sell the poor farmers the produce at higher prices.

Nyika Media Club chairperson Chimbizga Msimuko said the media was ready to help in the fight and called on police to establish a good relationship with all media houses.