Sat, 16 Dec 2017 10:47:04 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
WE did not swindle the farmers, they will definitely be paid their money and it is unfortunately that sometimes even the best plans can go wrong, Petauke District Cooperative Union (PDCU) chairperson Jonathan Banda has said.
Mr Banda said he regretted that cooperative has failed to honour the agreement which has resulted in farmers concluding that they were swindled.
This is a matter where 120 farmers in Petauke alleged that they were swindled out of K2.5 million after they supplied maize to PDCU some 4 months ago.
PDCU bought maize in September this year on behalf of Simbila Suppliers at K1.25 per kg and according to the agreement form, farmers were to be paid seven days after delivering the commodities which has not been the case.
But since September, 120 farmers who had supplied maize to PDCU have not been paid to-date despite their produce being taken away from PDCU premises to an undisclosed destination.
In an interview, Mr Banda told the Daily Nation that there was no way the mother body of all cooperatives in the district could swindle their own members.
Mr Banda, who confirmed having received maize from several farmers said despite not honoring the agreement, farmers would be paid once the funds were available.
Mr Banda, who is popularly known as”’Mr Chimweta” by the locals, however, said they were working round the clock to ensure farmers were paid.
“Yes, I am aware about that issue. We acknowledge having received maize from farmers but it’s not that we have swindled them no! It’s just that we have not honoured what we promised them. You know sometimes even the best plans can go wrong.
Asked when exactly his organisation will pay farmers, Mr Banda said he was not sure but soon.
