Musarara accused of economic blackmail

Suspended ZANU-PF Mazowe District Coordinating Committee chairman Tafadzwa Musarara has come under fire after challenging Government's grain import levy framework in court while warning that grain millers could increase the prices of bread and other basic commodities if the measures remain in force.

Musarara, who also chairs the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), spearheaded legal proceedings seeking to stop the implementation of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025, a policy introduced by Government to support local agricultural production and irrigation development through levies on imported grain.

However, the High Court recently struck the matter off the urgent roll, allowing the levy framework to remain in place pending any further legal action.

In court papers, GMAZ argued that the levies would significantly increase operating costs for millers and food manufacturers. Musarara warned that the additional charges could push the price of a loaf of bread above US$1 and raise the cost of mealie meal and other staple foods.

He further indicated that grain millers would be compelled to pass the additional costs on to consumers, a position that has attracted criticism from stakeholders who view the remarks as an attempt to pressure Government into abandoning the policy.

Critics have described the threats as economic blackmail, arguing that businesses should not use consumers as leverage in policy disputes.

Agricultural stakeholders supporting the levy framework contend that some millers have become overly reliant on imported grain because it often delivers higher profit margins than investing in local production, contract farming arrangements and irrigation infrastructure.

They argue that continued dependence on imports weakens domestic agriculture, undermines local farmers and leaves the country vulnerable to external supply shocks.

Government has maintained that SI 87 of 2025 forms part of a broader import substitution and food security strategy aimed at rebuilding Zimbabwe's agricultural capacity and reducing reliance on foreign grain.

Treasury has reaffirmed its support for the framework and directed that revenues collected through the levy system be channelled towards farmer payments and irrigation development projects. Authorities say approximately US$5.7 million has already been raised under the programme.

The Indigenous Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (IGMAZ) has welcomed the High Court decision, describing the levy framework as a necessary intervention to safeguard the gains of the Land Reform Programme and strengthen local agricultural production.

IGMAZ warned that excessive dependence on imported grain risks transforming Zimbabwe into what it termed a "supermarket economy", where local producers are displaced by foreign suppliers.

The framework has also received support from farmer unions, legal experts and senior Government officials, who argue that the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act gives authorities the legal mandate to impose levies in pursuit of agricultural development and national food security objectives.

The dispute has exposed growing divisions within Zimbabwe's grain value chain, pitting millers concerned about rising production costs against policymakers and agricultural stakeholders determined to accelerate domestic production and reduce import dependence.