SABOTAGE is defined as a deliberate action aimed at weakening a polity or corporation through subversion, obstruction, disruption or destruction.
One who engages in sabotage is a saboteur and usually works in secrecy to conceal his identity because of the consequences of his actions.
We, thus, agree with President Edgar Lungu for announcing that he will impose draconian measures to control the continued smuggling of maize and mealie-meal to neighbouring countries.
Since we know the Head of State to be a man of peace, we again agree with him when he says he has been pushed against the wall to take the action that will address the artificial shortage of mealie-meal once and for all.
On Friday, we carried a lead story ‘Maize scam unearthed’ in which 2,000 tonnes of subsidised maize was about to be smuggled out of the country from Chipata in Eastern Province.
We also carried a picture of a truck from which the maize was offloaded onto a train wagon destined for Malawi.
A close look at the truck revealed the words ‘Tonga Bull’. Does that ring a bell as to who are responsible for this callous action of sabotage since we know who has been shouting the loudest about the artificial shortage of maize in the country?
Zambians should know that these saboteurs have invaded all neighbouring borders through which they are smuggling tonnes of maize and mealie-meal to neighbouring countries, creating an artificial shortage in the country.
It is strange to note that it is these same detractors and villains who have deafened our ears by shouting themselves hoarse that the country has no mealie-meal.
Now that the adversaries have been exposed, Zambians should take the words of assurance from the President who has stated that his duty is to fight on behalf of the people of Zambia who are being deprived of the essential commodity created by the artificial scarcity.
To the saboteurs, we agree with the President that what they are doing amounts to economic sabotage considering the importance of the staple food to Zambia.
In ci-Bemba there is a proverb that states that pakwakana ubunga tapaba nsoni, which roughly means when sharing mealie-meal, one should not be shy.
Mealie-meal or maize is our staple food, which means anyone deliberately tampering with its sale or distribution is daring the Government and the citizens.
We feel such people should be punished ruthlessly since they are enemies of the people.
Having said this, we are happy to note that the Government has already taken speedy action by immediately restricting the movement of maize and maize meal to between 06:00 hours and 18:00 hours.
This move is welcome since law enforcement agencies will now confiscate any maize or maize meal transported beyond 18:00 hours.
The restriction on the movement of maize and maize meal is one of the measures the Government has taken to ensure that the commodity remains available on the market to meet the demand and mitigate artificial shortages.
Now that the citizens know that the mealie-meal shortage is man-made, they should rise up against the culprits who should be condemned for tampering with our staple food.