The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
NEARLY 300 people have been arrested for illegally transporting grain since the beginning of the marketing season.
Six people are currently before the courts facing charges of contravening the Grain Marketing Act, while the rest have been fined.
In terms of the law, individuals are only allowed to carry a maximum of five 50kg bags of maize and a maximum of two 50kg bags of soyabeans. Government has prohibited selling controlled grains to private millers.
Grain Marketing Board (GMB) chief executive officer Mr Rockie Mutenha told The Sunday Mail that most of the arrests were made in Mashonaland West Province.
“Maize, soyabeans, wheat and barley are controlled products, declared in terms of Section 29 of the Grain Marketing Act Chapter 18:14,” said Mr Mutenha.
“Movement of these grains is controlled.
“When ferrying grain to the nearest GMB depot, there are no limits as to the quantities a person may carry. Limits become applicable when one is moving the controlled products for personal use other than delivering the grain to GMB.”
In order to legally move more that the prescribed quantities of grain, a movement permit from the GMB is required.
“The permit is issued on application.
“As at August 23, 289 persons had been arrested for contravening the Act. Six persons are being prosecuted for offences under the Act whilst others paid fines at police stations.”
Mashonaland West Province, he said, leads in the number of people arrested and charged for contravening the Act.
“Mashonaland Central Province comes second in the number of arrests and seizures. “In their order, the two provinces are the lead provinces in grain production in the country.”
GMB has so far received over 920 000 tonnes of grains since the beginning of the marketing season, compared to 140 000 tonnes in the same period last year.
Farmers have been paid over $27 billion for the deliveries.
“As at August 29, 2021, the Grain Marketing Board had paid $27,5 billion to farmers.
“The GMB has outstanding $2,7 billion to pay farmers, which is within our one-week window period.”
