Police at Lumbadzi has warned beneficiaries and duty bearers who would want to take advantage of the distribution of food relief exercise for personal gains.

The warning has been made on Thursday, January 11, 2024 during the monitoring exercise of the program at Lumbadzi Police Station.

Lumbadzi Police Station Officer In-charge Mrs Micklina Medi, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) urged beneficiaries of the program not to sell the maize they have received, citing that once found they will be prosecuted because that will be the evidence enough that they are not deserving beneficiaries of the programme.

“Let me warn those that take advantage of the exercise and steal from the less privileged that the law will be applied accordingly and we will not give a blind eye to any reported malpractice by either government officers and duty bearers who may get involved”, Medi said.

She further assured beneficiaries that police will ensure that no one is abusing the program whose aim is to reach out to the less privileged and deserving people.

According to Ward councilor for Nankhaka Ward, Mac Joe Mwazani, beneficiaries of the program which is under Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) have been identified through traditional leaders under Senior Chief Chitukula which is his area.

DoDMA has rolled out the distribution of relief food assistance to food insecure households under the 2023/2024 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Program in all cities of the country.