Another arrest in fake maize seed syndicate: Lucy Mwitha of Kulima Gold

Police in Dedza have arrested 25 year old woman, Lucy Simengwa Mwitha who works with Kulima Gold shop as Manageress after being found in possession of fake maize seeds which she was selling at her personal shop in the same district.

According to Dedza Police Deputy Publicist Constable Cassim Manda, Mwitha was arrested on Monday afternoon after they got a tip from official who works with one of the leading seeds producers Monsanto Limited who was on inspection tour in the district.

Last month Police in the same district arrested another woman Catherine Kachipande who was found packing fake maize seeds at her compound.

The arrests come in the wake of Seed Trade Association of Malawi (Stam) secretary general Nessim Nyama has warned farmers to be on high alert when buying maize seed as fake versions have flooded the market.

Stam encourages farmers to buy from agro-dealers.

There has been spate of arrests of unscrupulous traders packing and selling fake maize seed in several parts of the country.

According to National Police spokesperson Nicholas Gondwa, three cases have so far been reported in Mwanza, Dedza and Limbe in Blantyre.

The fake seed syndicate is deceiving as it packs the product in genuine packaging but with fake seed

Mwitha hails from Chisankhwa village in the area of traditional authority Maulambia in Chitipa district.