The Government of Zambia has stated that the maize deal in which Malawi is supposed to buy 200 000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize remains intact.
The statement from Zambia’s Minister of Information Cornelius Mweetwa yesterday came after a fake statement indicating that the deal had been terminated due to Malawi’s failure to make payment.
In a brief statement, the minister said the Zambian Government was concerned with the circulation of a fake letter and a false publication attributed to the Daily Nation newspaper.
Reads the statement in part: “The maize export arrangement between Zambia and Malawi remains intact and both governments continue to engage in a spirit of mutual cooperation and regional solidarity.”
The reports come after The Nation revealed on Monday that Malawi’s delays to remit to Zambia 40 percent or about K53.9 billion ($30.8 million) of the total cost of 200 000MT of maize have held up inflow of the grain into the country.
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development spokesperson Arnold Namanja earlier said authorities are still working on arrangements, including processing of a down payment.
Malawi is to pay about K134.8 billion ($77 million) for the maize deal which President Peter Mutharika sealed with his Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema mid last month.
A Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee report shows that at least four million Malawians are food-insecure during the current lean period.
