Ruling DPP accuses police of aiding vendors to buy maize
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has added the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to a list of culprits aiding vendors involved in illegal buying and reselling of maize sourced from State produce trader, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).
In the 2014/15 growing season, Malawi registered a 30 percent drop in harvest for maize, the staple grain, owing to combined effects of floods and drought in January 2015.
Admarc is currently struggling to supply adequate tonnage of the grain in its depots and selling points nationwide, forcing thousands of Malawians to spend nights at the selling points in anticipation of the next delivery.
Observers have hinted that vendors have taken advantage of the situation by bribing their way to buy maize at the expense of families in need of the grain.
In his address at a rally at Mtsiriza Full Primary School in Lilongwe on Saturday, DPP secretary general (SG) Eckleni Kudontoni added police officers stationed in Admarc markets are working with the vendors and market officers in this illegal business.
He said: “It is very unfortunate that even the police whom we entrusted the responsibility to provide security and safety at Admarc markets have chosen to let us down. They are the ones that are now assisting vendors for resale at higher prices.” buy maize from Admarc
He said DPP is currently gathering information, warning that soon some men and women of the uniform will find themselves in the hook if the situation persists.
National Police spoksesperson Nicholas Gondwa refused to comment on the allegations being levelled against police officers, saying: “I cannot comment on allegations made at a political rally.
Whoever has issues with how our officers are discharging their duties is supposed to present his/ her grievances to relevant authorities in the police service.”
At the same rally, Minister of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services, Patricia Kaliati, told the audience that government plans to scale down the Decent and Affordable Housing Subsidy Programme (DAHSP), widely known as Cement and Malata Subsidy, to constituencies whose members of Parliament (MPs) are from the opposition.
Kaliati, who is also director of women in DPP, said since the opposition is calling for its abolition, it was not proper that their constituencies should benefit from it.
Apparently, opposition parties have been proposing that in the wake of economic hardships facing the country, government should scale down or suspend the K7 billion subsidy programme until the situation improved.
