The government has denied reports that the price of maize being imported from Tanzania has been inflated by more than 100 per cent in order to corruptly benefit the country’s political elites.
Writing on microblogging site Twitter on Friday afternoon, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana dismissed the reports as false. He said:
Zimbabwe is paying its farmers ZWL$4000 for a tonne of maize based on a FOB import parity. Tanzania is one of very few countries in the region with maize to export as most were affected by drought. That said, we are not paying them US$600 per tonne.
The “corrupt” deal has reportedly slowed the response from international organisations to the United Nations’ appeal for emergency funding to alleviate Zimbabwe’s food shortfall.
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What are you paying then?
Is it difficult to set the record straight if there’s nothing to hide?
Imi Carine nevakadzi hamunyari, history will judge you harshly for impoverishing a hitherto prosperous nation for 4 decades thru your insatiable greed, corruption & cruelty. So shameless to the extent of taking advantage of the hunger you caused!
Imi varume nevakadzi..
Put the maize purchase on open public tender. We know your $600 / tonne price is 3 times the going price. Stop the exploitation of the masses.