The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) has announced that recent tests on six popular mealie meal brands have confirmed the absence of harmful levels of glyphosate, a cancer-causing herbicide commonly used in agriculture.
In a statement released on Monday, 14 October, SAZ detailed that it tested Ngwerewere Super Refined Meal, Red Seal Super Roller Meal, Sunrise Roller Meal, Mega Roller Meal, Pearlenta, and Chibataura Roller Meal at the request of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ).
SAZ Director General Duncan Madambe affirmed that the tests revealed the products available on the market are safe and adhere to international safety standards. Said Madambe:
<blockquote>
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe tasked the laboratory to analyse mealie meal samples for Glyphosate levels.
The six samples of mealie meal for the following brands; Ngwerewere Super refined meal, Red seal Super Roller meal, Sunrise Super Roller meal, Mega Roller meal, Pearlenta and Chibataura Roller meal were then analysed.
In all the analyzed samples, the levels of glyphosate were below (&lt;) 0.5 parts per million (ppm) which is the Limit of Detection for the method of test.
It is important to note that there are governing limits for every pesticide, known as Maximum Residue Levels (MRLS).
These are the maximum concentrations in or on food/feed of plant and animal origin that is legally tolerated for it to be considered safe.
Our National Standard for maize meal (ZWS 760) makes reference to the CODEX (Internationally agreed Food Standards) limits for glyphosate in maize to which manufacturers should comply with.
The CODEX 158:2006 glyphosate limit for maize is 5 parts per million (ppm). This means that the detected levels are below the maximum residue limits and the analyzed mealie meal samples are safe for consumption.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Standards Association of Zimbabwe tested six popular mealie meal brands and found no harmful levels of cancer-causing herbicide. The brands include Ngwerewere, Red Seal, Sunrise, Mega, Pearlenta, and Chibataura. The director general of SAZ confirmed that the products are safe and meet international safety standards. The levels of glyphosate in the samples were below the maximum allowed, making them safe to eat. This is good news for consumers as the mealie meal brands have been cleared of any health risks related to the herbicide.

Zimbabwe Six Major Mealie Meal Brands Cleared Of Cancer-Causing Herbicide

The Small and Medium Millers of Zimbabwe (SMMZ), an organisation comprising 71 different small-scale millers, has pledged to work with authorities to deal with members selling underweight mealie-meal on the market.
Addressing journalists in Bulawayo on Thursday, SMMZ chairperson Davis Mohambi, said a multi-sectoral approach is required to deal with this practice. He said (via NewsDay):
<blockquote>
We were contacted by members on the issue of underweighting maize meal which has emerged in the market. We realised that it’s an issue that requires multi-sectoral players to come together.
This is why we went to our parent ministry and had this caucus to mark the beginning of the journey to deal with the issue.
Competition is welcome and is good for creating a sustainable sector and the economy. But we have got certain people, whether they do it knowingly or unknowingly, who under weigh a product.
To put into perspective, if mealie-meal costs US$5 and you pack 9kgs and go into the market with that perceived 10kg and sell it at $4,50.
That 50c makes a huge difference in terms of sales and gives an unfair advantage to other players who are partaking in this problem.
</blockquote>
Mohambi said they will engage retailers to help address the challenge given they are the gateway to the market. He said:
<blockquote>
We realised that it is not specifically for the millers. So we shall be required to come together as an industry to understand what is happening to come up with a resolution to the problem.
There has to be self-regulation among industry players. The retailers are also key in this, so we shall be engaging them going forward so that they play a role which is required by the law because they are the gateway to the market.
</blockquote>
Last month, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce warned businesses that are allegedly selling underweight products and not properly labelled that they will be prosecuted.
The Trade Measures Act governs trade practices, including product weights and measurements. It prohibits deceptive practices such as selling products that do not meet labelling requirements or using illegal measuring equipment.
The Consumer Protection Act safeguards consumers’ rights and interests. Selling underweight goods is illegal under this act, as it deprives customers of their rightful amounts and reduces their value for money.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Millers Pledge To Deal With Suppliers Of Underweight Mealie Meal

Grain millers say they can supply enough maize meal to consumers to mitigate the El Niño-induced drought which is expected to reduce yields drastically.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) president Tafadzwa Musarara on Tuesday said they have imported more than 200 000 metric tonnes of maize since October last year. Musarara told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/business/article/200021866/weve-enough-stocks-to-meet-demand-millers">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
The grain milling sector is fully geared to adequately provide maize meal during this current drought season. This is not the first time to encounter such adversity.
Our ability to import sufficient stocks of maize is on record. From mid-October 2023 to date, for instance, we imported 207 000 metric tonnes of maize. The activity continues.
</blockquote>
This comes after Harare experienced a shortage of mealie meal during the past several weeks.
The maize meal shortage was attributed to high demand during the holiday season, coupled with supply chain issues.
In response, the Government recently called an urgent meeting with different stakeholders to come up with a plan of action to ensure that mealie meal is available.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu told NewsDay that mealie-meal deliveries have resumed in Harare. He said:
<blockquote>
Deliveries only started on Saturday in the central business district and surrounding areas.
Today (on Monday), about 10 residential areas are receiving deliveries, for instance, Mabvuku, Mbare, Chitungwiza, Highfield, Glenview, Mufakose, Hatcliffe, Budiriro and Dzivaresekwa.
Deliveries are made through formal shops and CZR urges shop managers to not tarnish their brands by diverting the product to the black market as the mealie-meal is serialised.
</blockquote>
On 3 January 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce met key stakeholders, including various Government Agencies and the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe to deliberate on the maize supply situation in the country.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Sithembiso said grain millers expressed their commitment to supply the country with adequate maize meal.
She said the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had also committed to avail and distribute maize to the millers through its various depots countrywide.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

We Have Enough Maize Stocks To Meet Demand - Grain Millers

The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has said large-scale retail shops are having low stocks of mealie meal because they want the product on credit terms.
GMAZ president Tafadzwa Musarara told <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/grain-millers-blacklists-shops-for-demanding-mealie-meal-on-credit/">State media</a> that millers are buying grain cash up-front from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) therefore they cannot sell on credit terms to supermarkets.
Musarara said large retailers should pay cash upfront or at least cash-on-delivery to enable the millers to remain viable. He said:
<blockquote>
GMB requires us to pay 100 percent upfront for grain. In view of this, we are unable to give credit terms to anyone including the mainstream retail shops. This explains why stocks are low in these mainstream shops.
It is not disputed that the country has adequate supplies of maize and wheat and the milling industry’s capacity dwarfs demand.
The major challenge is the issue of exchange rates between the USD and the local currency.
</blockquote>
Musarara said millers were supplying all retailers using the Zimbabwe dollar price, and they had no control over the rate that shops use in their outlets.
He said the reason why mealie-meal was easily accessible in smaller outlets, was that they paid for deliveries upfront.
The Zimbabwe dollar has been in free-fall against major currencies in the past few weeks and on Tuesday, 06 June, the rate was $3 673 against the US dollar, down from $2 577 last week.
On the parallel market, the rate was reportedly between $4 500 and $6 000 depending on the amount being traded.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Grain Millers Refuse To Sell Mealie Meal On Credit

The shortage of mealie meal in large retail outlets such as supermarkets has been blamed on millers who are allegedly diverting the product to the streets and pavements where it is being sold strictly in foreign currency.
There is a shortage of mealie meal in major retail shops but the product is readily available on the informal market where consumers are being forced to buy using forex.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) chairman, Tafadzwa Musarara, requested to have questions from State media in writing but was yet to respond.
The Small-Scale Millers Association of Zimbabwe (SMAZ)  president, Davis Muhambi, told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/mealie-meal-diverted-to-black-market/">The Herald</a> that it was possible that millers have cut off the supply chain. Said Muhambi:
<blockquote>
I don’t want to be speculative but there is a great possibility that millers have cut off the supply chain.
The availability of mealie-meal and maize needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Millers could possibly be holding the commodity as they may deem that it is no longer sustainable to supply the commodity in RTGs as compared to US dollars.
There are a lot of technicalities involved, which may require them to keep afloat, as well as to make profits from their business.
</blockquote>
He urged the Government to urgently investigate the issue and ensure that sanity prevails.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Denford Mutashu, said:
<blockquote>
Government should urgently look into this matter. In fact, it should step up and consider the recommendations that we made to them to arrest such a scenario.
Millers may and are possibly cutting off the supply due to the prevailing black-market rates.
Mealie-meal must be prioritised as an urgent matter as it will fuel an upsurge of other commodities.
Most commodities are readily available on the parallel market and in backyard kiosks where they are being sold at prices up to three times the official rate.
A 10 kg bag of maize meal sells for about US$6 as compared to the official price of the RTGs, which is between $15 000 and $20 000.
</blockquote>
This week the Zimbabwe dollar fell by nearly $700 to average $2 577 against the United States (US) dollar on the foreign currency auction held by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
On the parallel market, the greenback is reportedly changing hands at about Us$1:ZWL$3 500.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Millers Accused Of Diverting Mealie Meal To The Black Market

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned its officers from purchasing mealie while clad in police uniform.
Police officers have often been accused of abusing their authority by buying mealie meal in huge quantities, depriving other citizens of an opportunity to purchase the staple.
The officers would allegedly divert the mealie meal to the black market where it is sold for more than double the gazetted price.
Below is a memorandum from the Bulawayo Provincial Police Headquarters advising all stations in the province of the new regulations:
<blockquote>PROHIBITION OF PURCHASE OF MEALIE-MEAL BY POLICE OFFICERS IN UNIFORM STOP
THIS OFFICE OBSERVED WITH GREAT CONCERN THE LEVEL OF SERIOUS CONTEMPT AND DISREGARD OF POLICE STANDARD OF DISCIPLINE IN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN BULAWAYO. MEMBERS ARE SEEN MOVING AROUND CARRYING BAGS OF MEALIE-MEAL IN UNIFORM. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT ADDRESSEES CMM WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT CEASE TO PURCHASE MEALIE-MEAL IN POLICE UNIFORM. OFFICERS AND MEMBERS IN CHARGE STATIONS ARE THUS DIRECTED TO COMPILE LISTS OF MEMBERS UNDER THEIR COMMAND AND FORWARD THEM TO THIS HEADQUARTERS AS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH MILLERS TO DELIVER THE COMMODITY AT POLICE CAMPS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. ADDRESSEES ARE DIRECTED TO TREAT THIS SIGNAL WITHOUT DISDAINCY. ANYONE WHO SHALL BE SEEN LOADED WITH MEALEMEAL IN THEIR PERSON WHILST IN POLICE UNIFORM WILL BE ARRESTED AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN.</blockquote>

Police Officers Banned From Buying Mealie Meal While Clad In Uniform

A severe shortage of mealie meal has given birth to a thriving black market for subsidised roller meal, with the product being delivered to supermarkets in drips and drabs while it is abundantly available on the parallel market.
Some Bulawayo residents who spoke to the Chronicle accused unscrupulous shop owners, local councillors and police officers who control mealie meal queues of diverting the product to the black market where it is sold strictly for cash.
Meanwhile, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said the government is working on importing maize to make mealie meal readily available for the consuming public. Said Mavima:
<blockquote>Although this is not something that is directly being handled by my Ministry, I am aware that Government is seized with the matter and has tasked an inter-ministerial team headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to bring grain into the country. I know they are doing a lot to improve the situation. The private sector is also doing something. With the two we are hopeful that the mealie-meal situation will improve.</blockquote>
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Garikai Chaunza distanced his organisation from the ongoing chaos in the distribution of mealie meal.
Chaunza said GMAZ has offered the government 40 000 metric tonnes of maize to purchase to avert the prevailing mealie-meal shortages but the government has not yet taken the offer.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/mealie-meal-blackmarket-thrives/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Subsidised Mealie Meal Floods Black Market

An angry mob reportedly caused a scene in Bulawayo yesterday as they spent the greater part of the day queuing for mealie meal they had seen being delivered but less than 50 people being served, The Chronicle reports.
The mob reportedly threatened to burn down the shop after the managers closed the shops and said there was no mealie meal. The police had to be called as an angry mob attempted to push their way into shops that were selling mealie meal in Nketa 6 suburb.
Angry shoppers that spoke to the publication said:
<blockquote>We are seeing police officers buying mealie meal and being given via the back entrance and they are coming with other people, maybe they are their wives. They are loading the mealie meal; into a kombi, yet they are chasing us away.
If as police they want mealie meal, why don’t they arrange with the shop owner or millers and get it properly like how other companies are doing for staff, such arrangements are there. But for us to be chased away here like dogs after spending such a long time is unfair.
Prices have gone up considerably since announcement of the lockdown. They keep going up daily, so we need to buy as much food as we can with the little, we have before our money loses more value.</blockquote>
The police reportedly repeatedly called for the people to disperse and follow social distancing procedures but were ignored by the crowds.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/mealie-meal-fights-break-out-in-bulawayo/">The Chronicle </a>

Angry Shoppers Threaten To Burn Down Mealie Meal Hoarding Shops In Bulawayo

The government is set to increase the price of subsidised roller meal for the second time in as many months.
The price of a 10kg bag was hiked to $70 from $50 last month but the product remains unavailable on the formal market.
On Monday, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raj_Modi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raj Modi</a> told the Chronicle that the shortage of mealie meal is temporary as the government will soon announce the new price so that millers would release the product which they are hoarding. Said, Modi:
<blockquote>The problem with the millers is that they are working on the new price. They have the mealie-meal; they should be announcing the new prices to retailers.
I think that is what has caused the shortage, the mealie-meal is there but what is left is for is the new price. Up to last week, it was going on very well. There was a lot of mealie-meal around up until the last two days because of the new GMB prices.</blockquote>
Last week the government reviewed the maize producer price from $4 000 to $6 958 per tonne and this is believed to have ignited the imminent hike in mealie meal prices.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/subsidised-roller-meal-price-to-go-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Subsidised Roller Meal Price To Be Reviewed

Zim Morning Post has reported that there is an elongated mealie-meal queue at OK Kwameh Nkurumah stretching from J Nyerere to L Takawira in Harare.
Citizens are desperate to buy the very scarce commodity whose price was increased last week. Zimbabwe has an acute deficit of the mealie-meal due to drought and two decades of poor Agriculture policies.
Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that some <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/02/18/bigger-millers-exporting-subsidised-mealie-meal-to-drc-united-millers-and-others/">heartless millers are exporting the subsidised commodity to the Democratic Republic of Congo.</a>
The development comes when there is an unresolved case in which Sakunda Holdings boss, Kuda Tagwirei is alleged to have abused US$3 billion that was meant for Command Agriculture, a programme that was premised at increasing Agriculture production and eradicate hunger.
The World Food Programme has projected that starvation might linger a little longer due to erratic rainfalls. Recent rainfall patterns in the country have rendered it impossible for farmers to irrigate their crops as Dams in the country do not have enough water to sustain a farming season.
To make matters worse, the country has a huge power crisis due dwindling water levels at Kariba Dam and as a result, farms have not been spared from power cuts hence impossible to irrigate crops.
Authorities and farmers have been urged to adopt smart agriculture and water harvesting strategies to have maximum benefit from the little rains the country has been receiving lately.
<img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="594" data-maxwidth="891" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ERtDEEaXkAERkei?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/>
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/ZimMorningPost_/status/1232652752091799558">Zim Morning Post</a>

PICTURE: Elongated Mealie-Meal Queue In Harare

Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> on Monday said the roller meal subsidy will now be targeted at the beneficiaries for it to achieve the intended goals.
Ncube added that targeting the beneficiaries will eliminate the abuse that has been identified with the subsidy. He said:
<blockquote>Subsidies always work better if they are targeted, if the person who is vulnerable is identified and receives that subsidy directly.
It cuts off the abuse that has been identified with the subsidy. The second point is we want some kind of voucher system or cash transfer system that will just do that, which is targeted at the beneficiary.</blockquote>
In November last year, the government introduced the subsidy on roller meal after the prices had gone through the roof because of an acute shortage of maize.
The price for a 10kg bag of roller meal was initially set at $50 but was increased to $70 last week.
However, the product remains scarce on the market.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/database-for-roller-meal-beneficiaries-out-soon-mthuli/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

'Subsidies Always Work Better If They Are Targeted'

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/People%27s_Party" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">People’s Party</a> interim president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Walter_Mzembi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walter Mzembi</a> has warned that the ruling ZANU PF party has already set its rigging wheels in motion through the creation of a database for the disbursement of mealie meal coupons.
Mzembi contends that the move is an exercise in smart vote-buying and patronage that has no “V11 forms” that can be presented in court as evidence of rigging. He said:
<blockquote>Beware of clientelism. This database is an exercise in smart vote-buying and patronage. Vote rigging in Zimbabwe is a process, not an event, this is the real V11 in the making that cannot be presented to the Constitutional Court but very deadly act!</blockquote>
On Wednesday the government announced that it will soon issue coupons to targeted households to enable them to buy subsidised roller meal at the stipulated price.
Information Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Monica_Mutsvangwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monica Mutsvangwa</a> told journalists after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that the compilation of a database of beneficiaries was at an advanced stage.
<h4>More: <a href="https://twitter.com/waltermzembi/status/1228002859817590785" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@waltermzembi</a></h4>

Mzembi: Database For Recipients Of Mealie Meal Coupons A Smart Way Of Rigging & Vote Buying

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WATCH: Zimbabweans Fight Over A Bag Of Mealie Meal

The government has condemned some retailers for engaging in conditional selling of subsidised roller meal in contravention of the Consumer Protection Act.
Speaking during a business breakfast forum jointly organised by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Associated_Newspapers_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe (ANZ</a>), Industry and Commerce Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sekai_Nzenza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sekai Nzenza</a> urged consumers to know their rights. She said:
<blockquote>The government recently introduced a subsidy for the consumers to access roller meal at an affordable price. The 10kg roller meal bag must cost $50, but most times people are forced to buy other items to purchase the bag of roller meal.
That is conditional selling and it is not correct. The Consumer Protection Act will address this illegal activity and ensure that consumers are aware of their rights and they get what they deserve.</blockquote>
Late last year, the government reversed a decision that had been made in November by Finance Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> to scrap subsidies on maize.
The government then undertook to subsidy some grain millers which saw the price of roller meal being slashed to $50 per 10kg.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2020/01/31/industry-minister-blasts-retailers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

Nzenza Slams Retailers For 'Taking Advantage' Of Mealie Meal Shortages

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has set up a task force to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of subsidised mealie meal.
The task force is headed by Deputy Industry Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raj_Modi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raj Modi</a> and will ensure that the subsidised maize-meal is not diverted to the black market. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Industry Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sekai_Nzenza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sekai Nzenza</a> said:
<blockquote>During the holidays, there were some challenges as some companies were closed, resulting in the maize-meal shortage, which is still being experienced in some parts of the country.
To address the areas experiencing critical shortages and to ensure that maize-meal is available to all consumers, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is closely monitoring the subsidy programme in collaboration with the Confederation of Retailers Association and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GMB</a> and other key stakeholders.</blockquote>
Reports indicate that when supplied to supermarkets, the mealie meal lasts for just a few minutes because of panic-buying, with some of the customers diverting the product to the black market where it is sold for almost double the shelve price.
Not only is the subsidised roller meal in short supply, but even refined mealie meal has become scarce.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/roller-meal-taskforce-set-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt Sets Up Roller Meal Taskforce

President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> said that the government will revoke trading licences from retailers who continue pricing mealie meal at twice the gazetted price.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks during January’s clean-up campaign in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kuwadzana" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kuwadzana</a>, Harare on Friday. He said:
<blockquote>Roller-meal is now pegged at $105 as I heard, but we said mealie-meal prices must go down to $50.
If there are crooks, businessmen who don’t listen to the government because we give them subsidies and they can’t benefit twice, misoro yavo (damn them). We will have laws that deal with fools who don’t listen.
We will reach a stage where we will withdraw licences of those who do not listen and they stay at home.</blockquote>
In December last year, the government directed retailers to sell roller meal for $50 per 10kg bag after it had promised to provide grain millers with subsided maize.
The price of mealie meal per 10 kg bag had shot to over $100.00 before the directive. Meanwhile, the subsided mealie meal remains very scarce on the market.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ed-threatens-to-withdraw-foolish-traders-licences/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Govt Threatens To Revoke Traders' Licences Over Mealie Meal Pricing

Some supermarket employees are working in cahoots with vendors to divert government subsidised roller meal to the parallel market where it is sold for almost double the set price.
A survey by the Chronicle established that a 10 kg bag of roller meal, which is supposed to be sold for $50, is now being sold for up to $80 by vendors at what is now referred to as the “people’s shops”. A vendor who spoke to the publication said:
<blockquote>Through our contacts at the shops, we now know when the roller meal will be delivered and it’s not surprising that we always get it.
We are able to buy many bags because the workers at the retail outlets are also benefiting. We are selling a 10 kg bag for $70 or $80 depending on the demand.</blockquote>
In November this year, Finance and Economic Development Minister, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a>, announced the scrapping of subsidies on mealie-meal and flour in line with his austerity measures.
However, a few days later, President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> reversed the move, saying he was not consulted when the decision was made.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/people-hoard-roller-meal-for-resale/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Vendors Hoard Roller Meal For Resale At "People's Shops"

The govt’s subsidy on mealie meal has resulted in an acute shortage of the commodity as millers who are not registered under the new mealie meal subsidy scheme are withholding their stocks Newsday reports.
Millers who spoke to the publication about the situation said:
<blockquote>The 60 millers are holding on to their maize stocks and cannot risk producing roller meal without being registered.-
The few who have been registered are struggling to supply the market and this has caused serious shortages of the product on the market. Only highly priced refined mealie-meal being sold at around $115 per 10kg is found in the shops</blockquote>
The govt had removed the subsidy on the mealie meal but quickly changed their decision after there was a public outcry over the new price of mealie meal but on condition that millers should register with the Industry ministry to qualify for the subsidy scheme.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/12/zim-runs-out-of-mealie-meal/">Newsday </a>

Zim Hit By Another Mealie Meal Shortage

Some retailers have reportedly reduced the price of mealie meal from $100.00 to just below $50.00. The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Ndavaningi Mangwana posted the images below on Twitter. He, however, did not reveal; which shop is selling mealie at the price.
Earlier this week, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube announced that the government was restoring a subsidy on the product after prices had risen sharply over the past few weeks.
Ncube has earlier announced that the government was scrapping the subsidy as part of his austerity measures.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELLPjWEW4AE_GR6?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/><img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ELLPjV9WsAA9Bwc?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>

PICTURES: Retailers Slash Mealie Meal Prices To $49.99 Per 10kg Bag

<blockquote>PRESS STATEMENT ON TARGETED SUBSIDIES ON ROLLER MEAL
1. As you may be aware, His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa announced 
that subsidies on maize be restored in order to cushion the vulnerable groups of our society from the negative impact of increases in basic food prices.
2. Under this new subsidy model, the Government will fund the procurement of grain at 
market prices and selling the same to registered maize millers to ensure availability and affordability of the commodity. This model will create fiscal space for Treasury to finance other social protection programmes.
3. The government will ensure that the requisite monthly tonnage of 40 000MT required for 
producing 32 000MT of roller meal will be timely availed by GMB to members of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ).
4. In this regard, the new subsidy model will, therefore, target the production of roller meal 
resulting in the retail price of ZWL$50 for a 10 kg bag.
5. The payment modalities for the new targeted subsidy for roller has been discussed 
and agreed with GMAZ, whose members have a 95% share of the roller meal market.
6. The implementation of this new subsidy policy is with immediate effect.
Hon. Prof. M. Ncube 
Minister of Finance and Economic Development
05 December 2019</blockquote>

Govt Slashes Price Of Mealie Meal {Full Text}

The government has announced a reduction of mealie meal prices, with the retail price of 10kg now set at $50.
This was revealed by Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> in a statement on Thursday morning. He said:
<blockquote>As you may be aware, His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa announced that subsidies on maize have been restored in order to cushion the vulnerable groups of our society from the negative impact of increases in basic food prices.
In this regard, the new subsidy model will, therefore, target the production of roller meal resulting in the retail price of ZWL$50 for a 10kg bag.</blockquote>
Last month, Ncube announced the removal of mealie meal subsidies while presenting the 2020 national budget statement.
The move was, however, reversed a few days later by President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> while addressing ZANU-PF youths in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kadoma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kadoma</a>.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/maize-meal-price-slashed-subsidy-restored/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt Announces New Mealie Meal Prices

President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> on Wednesday ordered Finance and Economic Development Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mthuli Ncube</a> to restore the subsidy on mealie meal.
The President instructed Ncube to reverse the scrapping of the subsidy while addressing youths at the 2019 National Youth Convention at Rimuka Stadium in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kadoma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kadoma</a>. He said:
<blockquote>Two days ago I heard that the subsidy on mealie-meal and rice was removed. No.
I want to say this here, the issue of mealie-meal affects a lot of people and we cannot remove the subsidy. So I am restoring it so that the price of mealie-meal is also reduced.</blockquote>
During the 2020 national budget presentation, Ncube announced that subsidies on mealie meal and flour would be removed.
The move, however, triggered a sharp increase in the price of the commodities, with the price of mealie meal going up by close to 100 per cent.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/maize-meal-subsidy-back/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Price Of Mealie Meal Expected To Fall

Vendors in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Victoria_Falls">Vic Falls</a> have a newfound trade of hoarding and reselling mealie meal in Zambia for the much-needed greenback Sunday News reports.
This was revealed by locals who spoke to the publication and said local supermarkets were now diverting the mealie meal to the black market because the vendors sold it in USD there.
<blockquote>People grab all the mealie-meal as soon as it is delivered and stock it to resell at Emaplankeni where there is a ready market in US dollars. Some wholesale shops (names given) would even tell customers that mealie-meal is finished yet it will still be there in the shop as they keep it for the black market Zimbabwean mealie-meal reportedly fetches better money in neighbouring Zambia as their products are expensive</blockquote>
A few months ago the situation was reserved as Zambians would smuggle mealie meal and other basic into Zimbabwe for resale as there was an artificial shortage of some sort.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/mealie-meal-smuggled-into-zambia/">Sunday News</a>

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