By MILDRED KATONGO –
POLICE have yet again smashed another suspected smuggling deal of more than 200 bags of mealie-meal in Ndola, and have apprehended two people in the process.
There has been tight monitoring of the movement of maize and mealie- meal following an upswing in smuggling activities, which have created a shortage for local consumption and triggering high prices.
Transportation of the two commodities have now been restricted to between 06:00 and 18:00 hours, as announced by the Government, in a new move to curb smuggling.

. Katanga

Copperbelt Police chief Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that a truckload of 218 bags was intercepted in Masala Township enroute to the border town of Chililabombwe.
The highly-wanted commodity was loaded on a truck, registration number ALJ 3214, whose driver, Lottie Mwanza, 37, and an unnamed female accomplice have since been apprehended, as investigations continue.
“We have arrested two people here in Ndola who were found in possession of 218 bags of mealie-meal enroute to Chililabombwe. We have intercepted the truck and the two are in police custody as we continue to investigate,” Ms Katanga said.
She said the driver of the truck disclosed that the mealie-meal he bought from Chichele Market enroute to Chililabombwe belonged to a Kaizer Mubanga.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has hailed the Government’s decision to restrict the movement of maize and maize meal.
The Government announced the decision to restrict the movement at the weekend as this would help ensure the commodity remains available on the market and meet local demand.
ZACA publicity secretary, Juba Sakala said the new measure was timely as it would help maintain enough maize and maize meal for the local consumption and stop smuggling.
“We welcome the move by Government to restrict the movement of the commodity. We are aware that there are just some selfish individuals who are trying to create a shortage of mealie-meal. The move will also increase monitoring and curb smuggling to help meet the local demand,” he said.