Zimbabwe: Farmers Cry Foul

Source from:  The Herald  05/08/2013

Tobacco farmers are accusing auction floors employees of conniving to steal their bales after a spate of thefts at the auction floors.

The farmers are complaining that the bales are never recovered in most cases and some officials could be stealing the bales and selling at the floors later.

Some Karoi women complained that they had to spend days at the auction floors waiting for the floor operators to locate their bales to no avail. "Can you imagine we have lost a total of five bales. We are losing hope of getting the bales back and we are counting a huge loss," complained Karoi farmer, Mrs Margaret Kanoyanga.

Another farmer said he lost a bale and was later compensated by the auction floor but said he could have got more money if his bale had been auctioned. Tobacco Sales Floor managing director Mr James Mutambanesango said reports on missing bales were received but in most cases the bales were recovered.

"In some cases, the bales will not be missing. Some farmers put loose tags on the bales and they can get torn or fall from the bales. In this case, the bales will not be easily identified and farmers may assume that they are missing," said Mr Mutambanesango.

He said in other instances the auction floors received the tobacco but because the farmer was not registered, the crop would not appear on the deliveries list because it would still be in the receiving area. Enditem