Time to cage official smuggling perpetrators
Published On December 25, 2016 » 1357 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Features
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The way I see itIt is sad to note that the Copperbelt Province is slowly but surely becoming a smuggling zone with perpetrators daring authorities just to enrich themselves by engaging in this illicit activity.
Though security measures have been put in place to curb the scourge, there are a few elements frustrating Government’s strides to curb these illegitimate activities of smuggling essential goods to neighbouring countries.
Against this rather sad backdrop comes the recent ambush on Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo and his entourage who were accosted by suspected mealie-meal smugglers at Kasumbalesa border.
The ambush happened when Mr Lusambo who was accompanied by provincial permanent secretary Howard Sikwela, government officials and members of the media conducted on the spot check at Kasumbalesa border to witness the extent of smuggling.
The entourage which was on the fact finding mission escaped the wrath of thugs a testimony of how serious the problem that begs urgent attention from Government security wings is.
During the minister surprise visit to the notorious border post, a group of unknown people started hailing insults and missiles at  the motorcade  and blocked the road before police fired warning shots to disperse the mob.
The rampant smuggling of mealie-meal into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) cannot go unchallenged because the scourge has the potential to create an artificial shortage of the commodity for local consumers.
The resolve exhibited by the minister ignites the confidence that the scourge of smuggling, which also aggravates corruption and other forms of crime, could be curbed in the interest of Zambia’s economy.
The minister has rightly stated that if the scourge was left unchecked, smuggling of mealie meal will have a grave impact on the economy.
It is heartening to note that President Edgar Lungu is aware that continued smuggling of mealie meal to neighbouring countries will fosters artificial shortage — invariably creating the upward adjustment of the commodity.
It is in this regard that the Zambia National Service (ZNS) has managed to seal the border although smugglers have continued to use other routes to smuggle mealie-meal out of Chililabombwe.
Mr Lusambo has also promised that Government would beef up security in the border town to help curb the vice.
He said Zambia was losing millions of Kwacha in smuggled mealie-meal to neighbouring countries, a trend which should come to a stop.
As that may be, smuggling of essential commodities is also rampant in Ndola where smugglers use outlets from Ndola through Kawama township to illegally transport the commodities to DRC via a number of footpaths.
There are settlements known as Phima and Mwekera dotted along Mufulira Road where Congolese on motorbikes wait for light trucks and mini buses carrying an array of essential commodities such as mealie meal, cooking oil, building materials for sale in Congo.
Last time I engaged the then deputy Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo on the issue and explained to him the extent of smuggling in the affected areas, he took steps to address the problem but the issue has not completely been addressed as smugglers are now applying different methods to evade relevant authorities.
Some people use footpaths behind Kaniki farming block at night to smuggle commodities out of the country.
The presence of ZNS along the Mufulira Road has reduced smuggling through Mufulira Road — another chief transit to DRC and this should be saluted but more needs to be done to improve the situation.
Sakania border is now symbolic of the porous Kasumbalesa border just like Nakonde in the northern part of Zambia is.
Since smuggling remains a grave threat to the national food security if not limited.
Defence Permanent Secretary Steady Mwale said the defence force will strive to help curb the problem of smuggling in the province.
“Our men in uniform have been trying to stop these people smuggling maize into DRC. I want to commend them; they should be vigilant because this is something to do with national food security.
“Yes, we have an understanding that we can try to help DRC like we have always done but not in excess were people want to mop out whatever we have on the Copperbelt,” he said.
It is, therefore, applicable for security agents to bring to book official culprits abating the scourge regardless of their standing in society because the plight of local consumers should be of more importance than the selfishness of a few individuals.

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