Govt withdraws Anti maize smuggling ZNS troops

Defense Minister Davis Chama

Defense Minister Davis Chama has disclosed that the Zambia National Service Troops that were deployed in the country’s border posts for the Anti-Maize smuggling operations of maize grain and products have been withdrawn from all operational areas due to the country’s bumper harvest.

Mr. Chama told Parliament in his ministerial statement that since the inception of the operation, ZNS confiscated, impounded and forfeited to the state, through legalized channels, Maize, Mealie Meal and Vehicles.

He says the move led to the availability of mealie meal on the market, stabilized mealie meal prices and improved food security.

The Defense Minister has also said that  the confiscated commodities were forfeited to the state and disposed of by the courts of law.

Mr. Chama adds that other forfeited products have been handed over to the Zambia correctional services.

He says 7,534 25KG bags of mealie meal and 26, 750 Killograms of maize have been handed over to the countries correctional facilities.

He emphasized that the ZNS troops have been withdrawn from their respective camps due to the food stability recorded in the country.