Katete cops confiscate fertilizer bags
By Staff Reporter
Katete Police yesterday swung into action and confiscated 42 bags of fertilizer that were obtained by farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme but were being sold to some street vendors at Katete Stores.
Both Katete police officer in charge, Assistant Superintendent Christopher Sibande and Agriculture Coordinator Robbie Musendo confirmed the development and said the operation was carried out after a tip off from members of the public.
“Farmers were selling the fertilizer at a give-away price. Soon after swiping some farmers were buying non-agro related items like home theatres. When police moved in, the bags were heaped near Mubarak Shop and when the people who were around were asked to confirm ownership, they all denied and police took away the bags,” Sibanda said.
And Musendo said his team was first to arrive at the ‘crime’ scene, but when farmers saw them they ran away.
He said farmers that escaped the dragnet managed to organise loaders to put their fertilizer on two light trucks before Katete District Commissioner Joseph Makukula and police arrived.
“Fertilizer that was confiscated is awaiting to be auctioned so that the money goes back into government FISP Account. I am disappointed that the farmers were selling the fertilizer openly,” said Musendo.
He has since warned farmers to stop the habit of selling FISP inputs as they risk being arrested.
