By Lloyd Takawira & Kudakwashe Vhenge
Mealie meal shortages have reached worrying levels across the country as evidenced by very long queues at supermarkets around the city.
A survey carried out by this publication at major shops in the capital showed long winding queues as citizens jostled to purchase the now scarce commodity with indications the situation will get worse in the coming weeks.
Shops have since directed customers to buy only one bad of mealie meal.
In Zengeza 2, Chitungwiza as early as 6 am people had already queued at the local Pick and Pay supermarket.
“Tauya pano na 3am mkwasha hanzi upfu hurikubuda saka kutobata line (we came here as early as 3am we heard TM is going to sell mealie meal today so its a matter of arriving early) ” said one woman who only identified herself as Meju.
Bustop TV also visited Machipisa Shopping Centre and witnessed the same queues.
“I was the first to arrive baba and ndamuka around 4am , pakaipa tikasadaro mhuri dzodyeika hapana (I came as early as 4am brother, it’s tough , I have to do so that or my family will starve),” said one Freddy who was in the queue.
In the central business district swelling queues could be seen at major shops as people hopelessly wait for the now precious commodity.
However, word doing around the streets is that some licensed retailers are taking the commodity to the black market, where they would clandestinely sell in foreign currency and get more profits.
Retailers are now rationing consumers limiting them to one 10kg bag, while names, identity document numbers and other personal details jotted down to block people from buying more than one pack or reselling.
Speaking to the media Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Mr Garikai Chaunza acknowledged the scarcity of mealie meal in the country but promised that as GMAZ they are working to solve this.
“We are importing maize and we have lorries coming through and by the weekend, I am sure they will be in Harare. Bulawayo received last week and that is part of the 50 000 metric tonnes of maize from South Africa,”
“We expect another delivery of 50 000 metric tonnes. Most of the trucks are at the border now and if everything goes on well logistically, by the weekend, they will be in Harare,” he said.
