Contraband pap in ZambeziCustoms and Excise is cracking down on the cross-border smuggling of untaxed maize meal in the Zambezi Region. Cheaper maize smuggled in from Zambia 0 The drought has been blamed for an increase of smuggled maize meal in the Zambezi Region, and residents opt for the illegal product because it is cheaper than locally produced meal.On Monday, Willbroad Poniso, the deputy director of customs and excise in north-eastern region, said there was a worrying increase of contraband maize meal entering the country at non-designated entry points near Katima Mulilo and as far as Schuckmannsburg in the Kabbe North Constituency.
He said the recent interception of contraband maize meal branded as ‘Breakfast’ from Zambia revealed that many locals affected by the drought prefer buying the illegal product as maize meal in local shops is too expensive for them.
A 25-kg bag of maize meal in Zambia costs 80 000 kwacha (N$137) and when smuggled into Namibia, a bag sells for N$200, which is cheaper than the N$250 shops charge for locally produced maize.
“These smugglers are entering the country at unsuspecting times of the day or night. In parts of the region, which borders with Zambia, people can walk to and fro between the two countries as the river is at its lowest,” Poniso said.
Three weeks ago, an ambulance belonging to the Ministry of Health and Social Services was found transporting bags of smuggled maize meal in Katima Mulilo.
In August and September, the directorate confiscated 570 25kg bags of maize meal and 64 50kg bags of maize kernels. The bags were valued at about N$78 700.
“The maize product is contraband because it is controlled. We are taking strict measure against culprits and confiscating all bags and donating them as part of the drought relief programme,” Poniso said.
When maize is smuggled into the country it is not sold in public places but rather in secrecy and delivered directly to buyers.
Street vendors who spoke to Nampa said buyers usually approach them and place orders, after which they contact their suppliers in Zambia to deliver on a certain date.
“Everything is done in a discreet manner because we do not want to be arrested. We have clientele that order and directly pay for the product. This product is cheap and healthy as Zambian nationals are consuming it too,” said one vendor.
NAMPA