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CIO in Charge of Grain Distribution

Financial Gazette (Harare)
NEWS
April 28, 2005
Posted to the web April 29, 2005

By Njabulo Ncube
Harare
ZIMBABWE, grappling with a serious grain deficit threatening an estimated two
million people, has put the State Security Ministry firmly in charge of the
importation and distribution of maize - a pointer to the gravity of the
situation.
Government sources said members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO),
the country's secretive security agency, which falls under the State Security
Ministry, were now directly involved in the day-to-day distribution of grain
and other cereals.
The ministry, they say, is scouting for grain and cereals from as far afield as
East and West Africa, mainly Tanzania and Ghana, following indications that
supplies were drying up in traditional source markets.
South Africa has been Harare's major supplier of white maize, while Zambia has
banned grain exports until it is satisfied with an audit of how much grain had
been harvested in the past agricultural season.
Zimbabwe has to import at least 1.2 million metric tonnes of maize and 200 000
metric tonnes of wheat and beans.
Didymus Mutasa, the newly appointed Minister of State Security, told The
Financial Gazette yesterday his ministry was geared for the mammoth task of
sourcing grain for the nation, which is now left with 60 000 metric tonnes of
maize.
Mutasa said it was not news that his ministry was now directly in charge of the
importation and distribution of grain.
"For a very long time the ministry has been doing that (importing and
distributing food)," he said. "It is not just recent. It has been a long-
standing issue, but I know you are raising it because we are now visibly on the
ground ensuring that no one starves as indicated by the President (Robert
Mugabe)," he added.
According to the government, at least US$420 million is needed for the
immediate importation of grain and cereals.
Added Mutasa: "There's nothing sinister, the ministry (of state security) does
such national duties all the time."
The country needs 1.8 million metric tonnes of grain annually to meet domestic
needs, at an average of 150 000 tonnes per month. A further 500 000 tonnes is
required to replenish strategic reserves.
Renson Gasela, the Movement for Democratic Change shadow minister of lands and
agriculture, said: "Maize is now being treated like a security item where the
country must be kept in ignorance. This is evidenced by the total
militarisation of GMB (the Grain Marketing Board)."

   

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