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MDC calls for dismissal of non-performing GMB officials
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
March 13, 2012

The MDC is disturbed and worried by the reports that 50,000 tonnes of maize has been left to rot at the State controlled Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos across the country due to poor storage, at a time when the nation is grappling with the need to feed the nation.

It is worrying that the maize grain, worth US$16 million, has been declared unfit for human consumption. The maize was bought at a price of US$285 per tonne last year and will now be sold as stock feed to cattle farmers at an average price of US$175 a tonne.

What is more worrying is that this report comes barely a month after Cabinet called for full investigation on how agricultural inputs were distributed at GMB depots following reports of massive looting by Zanu PF politicians at the expense of villagers who were the targeted beneficiaries of the scheme.

GMB's incompetence has reached very alarming levels at a time when 500,000 hectares of the 1.6 million hectares under this year's maize crop are a complete write-off in most parts of Matabeleland, Midlands, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces due to poor rains.

Vulnerable people in these areas will definitely be in need of food aid, which has been left to rot by GMB.

It is totally irresponsible and unacceptable to make an announcement of this magnitude and fail to deal with such incompetence. Those responsible for storing this maize should simply be punished and forced to resign.

Zimbabweans are facing hunger and as the MDC, we condemn mediocrity shown by the GMB.

The MDC is also concerned with reports that GMB has in excess of 400 000 tonnes of maize in stock which Zanu PF intends to use for electioneering purposes. Zanu PF has over the years manipulated the operations of GMB for political gain and has gambled with people's lives.

As a party, we call for the immediate dismissal of the entire senior GMB management as it is putting the lives of the ordinary people at risk.

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