Posted on 12/19/2002 8:30:18 PM PST by Clive
GOVERNMENT has thwarted the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s efforts to avert looming starvation in the country by denying it a permit to import maize sourced from the donor community.
Non-governmental organisations have also been denied permits.
MDC Agriculture spokesman Renson Gasela said his party had secured over 100 000 tonnes of maize from international donors but government was denying them a permit to bring in the grain to feed the starving millions.
"Government is frustrating our efforts to stave off the starvation of over seven million people in the country," Gasela said.
"Over the past three weeks we have been tossed from one ministry to the other as we try to obtain a permit to bring into the country food secured from international donors. We have over 100 000 tonnes ready to be shipped into the country for free distribution to the needy.
"Donors will not release the maize if we do not have a permit fearing that government will again impound it as what happened to the first consignment," he said.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture referred him to the Labour and Social Welfare ministry to obtain the permit.
"As far as we understand, it is the Agriculture ministry that awards permits to import maize but the reason why we are tossed around is to frustrate our efforts," he said.
The MDC imported about 132 tonnes of maize from South Africa under the auspices of the Feed Zimbabwe Trust in September, but the maize is still held at Beitbridge whilst thousands starve.
"You can't believe that the grain we brought into the country in September is now rotting at Beitbridge holding sheds while over seven million Zimbabweans, including those in the Bietbridge district, are on the verge of starvation," Gasela said.
He said his party would soon file papers in court challenging the GMB's monopoly over trading in grains.
The monopoly has also been challenged in court by Frontline Marketing (Pvt) Ltd, which is seeking a court order to remove the parastatal's monopoly saying it infringes on other companies' right to associate with clients of their choice in commercial trade.
Just like in Rwanda!
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