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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The Small to Medium Millers Association of Zimbabwe (SMMAZ) has rolled out a nationwide campaign to ensure that subsidised roller meal reaches the intended beneficiaries in all communities.
The campaign, dubbed SMMAZ Against Black Market, is meant to ensure that subsidised roller meal benefits vulnerable groups and protect the reputation and brand integrity of millers, whose products end up on the black market against their intention.
The SMMAZ will affix a red stamp to the packaging of subsidised roller meal, bearing the recommended price and contact details to report anyone abusing the facility.
In a statement yesterday, SMMAZ chairman Mr Davis Muhambi said the programme was in support of Government efforts to ensure that the needy accessed the commodity.
“While we realise that the adequate supply of roller meal into the market is the absolute solution in dealing with the black market, its existence exacerbates the crisis by dampening the efforts that millers and Government are making to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe have access to this staple commodity,” he said.
“The campaign against the black market will thus strive to close the door on those elements in our society who would seek to profiteer (from) subsidised roller meal at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans.”
The subsidised price of roller meal is $70 per 10kg.
Mr Muhambi said the roller meal bearing the packaging should only be sold in licensed retail outlets.
He encouraged consumers to resist purchasing roller meal at any other price other than the recommended one, and to report any abnormal activity relating to the sale of the product to the nearest police, or to the miller, by contacting them on the cell number provided on the stamp or packaging.
SMMAZ has engaged the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, law enforcement agents and other stakeholders to assist in awareness of the nationwide campaign.
Online Reporter