A Bulawayo firm is under investigation after being caught allegedly repackaging water-damaged rice, originally intended for animal feed, for human consumption. Authorities have seized 322 tonnes of the rice, raising serious public health concerns over potential contamination.

According to a Bulawayo City Council (BCC) report, the city’s Health Services Department received a tip-off about Flynote Investments Private Limited, which trades under the Evergold brand in Thorngrove. Inspectors discovered the company was operating out of a stock feed facility that lacked basic food-grade standards, creating a high risk of contamination from mould, bacteria and chemical residues.“Water-damaged bulk rice for stock feed was being packaged and sold for human consumption. The rice was being packaged in a stock feed factory with extremely poor hygienic conditions,” the council report stated.

The confiscated rice has been sent to the Government Analyst Laboratory for a full analysis to determine its safety.
In a separate development, Bulawayo city councillors are demanding that council management release over ZWG60 million and US$2 million in ward retention funds that remain unspent despite project proposals being submitted.

The three percent ward retention fund was established in 2016 to encourage residents to pay their rates, with the promise that a portion would be used for local development projects. However, a recent full council report from the finance and development committee meeting revealed that most wards continue to accrue funds without implementing their projects. Only five wards — 4, 10, 19, 22, and 29 — have received part of their allocations.

Speaking during a full council meeting last Wednesday, Ward 10 councillor Khalazani Ndlovu expressed his frustration.

“We appreciate that you have provided a table showing how much we have, what we’ve used, and what remains. My question is: we submitted a project proposal, and before we see its implementation, the money has been deducted. We need to know where our money went,” he said.

Echoing his concerns, Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho called for a dedicated meeting to resolve the issue.
“I’ve said before that we need a separate meeting between management and councillors because we cannot keep discussing this matter over and over again,” he stated.

Mayor Councillor David Coltart, acknowledged the widespread frustration, noting that he, too, had approved plans that were awaiting implementation.

“As the mayor, I am deeply frustrated by the fact that I have approved plans and have not been able to implement them. Most councillors are in the same predicament. We urge the town clerk and management to take this issue seriously,” he said.