Rice Meant for Livestock Repackaged for People — Bulawayo Firm Investigated
Health authorities in Bulawayo have launched an investigation into Flynote Investments Private Limited after the company allegedly repackaged water-damaged rice that was originally intended for animal feed and sold it as food for human consumption.
The firm, which operates under the Evergold brand in Thorngrove, was flagged after a tip-off alerted authorities to the alleged misconduct.
Inspectors seized three hundred and twenty-two tonnes of the rice, sparking widespread concern over potential contamination.
A Bulawayo City Council report revealed that the rice was being processed in a stock feed facility that was unsuitable for human consumption and lacked basic food-grade standards.
Inspectors cited serious health risks including mould, bacterial contamination, and chemical residue.
The report stated: “Water-damaged bulk rice for stock feed was being packaged and sold for human consumption. The rice was being packaged in a stock feed factory with extremely poor hygienic conditions.”
Samples of the seized rice were sent to the Government Analyst Laboratory for safety testing.
According to the Chronicle, the company’s operations breached food safety regulations, prompting swift intervention by city officials.
Authorities have indicated that legal action may follow depending on the outcome of the laboratory analysis.
Meanwhile, frustration is mounting among Bulawayo city councillors over more than sixty million Zimbabwean dollars and two million United States dollars in ward retention funds that remain unspent, despite submitted project proposals remaining unimplemented.
The fund, introduced in two thousand and sixteen to encourage ratepayer participation by allocating three percent of collections to local development, has seen limited disbursement.
Only five wards — four, ten, nineteen, twenty-two, and twenty-nine have received partial allocations.
During a full council meeting held last Wednesday, Ward Ten councillor Khalazani Ndlovu raised concern over missing funds.
He stated, “We appreciate that you have provided a table showing how much we have, what we have used, and what remains.
“My question is: we submitted a project proposal, and before we see its implementation, the money has been deducted. We need to know where our money went.”
Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho echoed the concern, calling for a dedicated meeting to resolve the issue.
He said, “I have said before that we need a separate meeting between management and councillors because we cannot keep discussing this matter over and over again.”
Mayor Councillor David Coltart expressed deep frustration over stalled development projects, saying he had approved plans that remain unimplemented.
He stated, “As the mayor, I am deeply frustrated by the fact that I have approved plans and have not been able to implement them.
“Most councillors are in the same predicament. We urge the town clerk and management to take this issue seriously.”
Authorities are expected to provide updates on both the rice investigation and the ward fund disbursement, as residents await accountability.
