Angry farmers withdraw maize from GMB

Luthando Mapepa
IMPATIENT farmers in Chipinge have started withdrawing their grain from the Grain Marketing Board accusing the parastatal of failing to pay them on time. The Manica Post this week witnessed a group of farmers thronging GMB Chipinge Depot demanding their arrears backdated from August. Some of the angry farmers went to the depot with haulage trucks to load the maize and transport it back home.

Only a few farmers managed to withdraw their grain from the depot since it has no jurisdiction to give farmers the green-light to withdraw maize from the depot.
One of the angry farmers, Mrs Sithole, who withdrew her 78 metric tonnes at Chipinge Depot, said she was able to do so after travelling all the way to GMB headquarters in Harare to have her transaction with the parastatal reversed.

Mrs Sithole was armed with a letter from the GMB headquarters allowing her to withdraw her maize.
Part of the letter which The Manica Post has in its possession written by a Mr J Muzurura reads: “Further to your letter dated November 5 2014 addressed to the General Manager on the above matter, please be advised that GMB cannot give the expected time that you will be paid as Treasury has indicated that they are not in a position to finance grain any time soon.

“Therefore GMB cannot guarantee date of payment.
“However, if you have some commitments and cannot wait, GMB is allowing you to withdraw your maize from Chipinge.

“Please approach the depot with original copies of grain receipt,” reads part of the letter.
Mrs Sithole said she withdrew her maize from GMB because her balance was long overdue.

“I have decided to take my maize back and look for another market because GMB failed to fulfil their promises. It was difficult to withdraw my 78 metric tonnes because this branch has no authority to sanction the withdrawal. I was told to approach their headquarters in Harare for assistance where I was told that there is no money to pay farmers.

“Today, I will make sure that I will collect all my grain here,” she fumed.
Contacted for comment, GMB Chipinge depot manager Miss Pauline Jani refused to comment saying she had no authority to speak to the Press.
“I am not allowed to comment on any issues in our organisation. Please you may seek assistance from our superiors in Harare,” she said.