Siavonga District Commissioner, Geoffrey Jakopo has warned traders and people reselling the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Kalonga mealie- meal at exaggerated prices that they risk being arrested and prosecuted.

Mr Jakopo says the government has come up with the initiative to reduce the high prices of the commodity and ensure food security.

He said the mealie-meal produced by Kalonga and Eagle by ZNS should strictly be sold at the government retail price of 230 kwacha and not the prices on the market.

Mr Jakopo was speaking with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Siavonga today.

“We have received reports on how some individuals are exploiting people by selling ZNS Eagle mealie- meal and Kalonga at higher prices which is against the wish of the government to eliminate hunger,” he said.

The District Commissioner said the law will take its course and anyone who will be found wanting will be arrested and the commodity confiscated.

“Government realised that many people could not afford to buy other mealie-meal brands hence the move to engage ZNS among others to start producing and supplying cheaper mealie- meal at the price of 230 kwacha that people can afford”, he emphasized.

And some residents in Siavonga told ZANIS news that the move by the district administration to check on how some traders are exploiting people  by selling the ZNS and Kalonga branded mealie meal at exaggerated prices is commendable.

“Some people are taking advantage of the mealie-meal and now charging people beyond reasonable prices. We are grateful that you have intervened,” Allen Tende shared.

“Please make sure that this action and practice is curbed so that the people can access cheaper mealie- meal. We want now the ZNS and Correctional Service to come on board and help us with increasing the commodity flow here in Siavonga,” Samora Bola of Matinagala stated.