Dr Made

THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe has threatened to drag Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made to court over his decision to allow cheap maize meal imports.

There is discord over the issue after Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa spoke against the imports following concerns raised by legislators in the National Assembly last week.

In a letter to Dr Made last Friday, GMAZ’s lawyers Mupunga Bhatasara Attorneys called for the immediate cessation of imports or they would approach the courts on Tuesday.

“We are instructed to demand as we hereby do that: a) there be a cessation of issuance of any further imports of maize meal) the current imports permits be cancelled/suspended forthwith. We expect to receive written confirmation of the above by close of business on Tuesday May 15. We advise that if we do not receive any response by that date, our client will immediately seek redress through the courts,” the letter reads.

GMAZ said importation of maize would hurt both local farmers and the milling industry.

“The decision to issue permits for maize meal as opposed to maize seed is unprecedented. The decision itself was made without consultation or regard to the rights of key shareholders like our client contrary to rules of natural justice and the Administration of Justice Act. The importation of maize will plunge contract farming into turmoil.

“The importation of maize meal has rendered the milling industry and farmers uncompetitive. Your decision Honourable Minister has also breached other constitutional rights of our client.”

Dr Made was not available for comment as his phone was unreachable yesterday.

In the National Assembly on Wednesday, the matter was debated at length with Deputy Minister Mabuwa saying Government did not support imports.

She said, “The importation that has been authorised by Government is to import maize and not mealie meal, whether it is GMO which is not allowed in this country or not, mealie meal, no but maize seed, yes.”

Legislators had questioned if importation of maize meal would not undermine Government’s objectives of beneficiation under Zim-Asset.

Dr Made recently issued import permits for 200 000 tonnes of maize meal.