By Staff Reporter
Suspended ZANU-PF Mazowe District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman Tafadzwa Musarara has sparked controversy after spearheading a legal challenge against Government’s grain import levy framework, while warning that the policy could lead to increases in the prices of bread, mealie meal and other basic commodities.
Musarara, who also serves as chairman of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), approached the High Court seeking to halt the implementation of Statutory Instrument 87 of 2025. The application was, however, struck off the urgent roll, allowing Government to proceed with the policy as debate continues over its impact on the country’s agricultural and food security objectives.
In court submissions, GMAZ argued that the import levies would significantly raise production costs for millers, with the additional expenses likely to be passed on to consumers. Musarara warned that bread prices could rise above US$1 per loaf, while other staple foods could also become more expensive.
He further indicated that grain millers may resist the policy, maintaining that the levy framework places an unsustainable burden on the industry and ultimately threatens affordability for ordinary consumers.
However, critics have accused Musarara and sections of the milling industry of attempting to pressure Government into abandoning a policy designed to strengthen domestic agriculture. They argue that threatening price increases undermines national efforts to promote local grain production, expand irrigation infrastructure and reduce reliance on imports.
Supporters of the levy framework contend that some millers favour imported grain because it often provides better profit margins than investing in local production systems, contract farming arrangements and irrigation projects. They warn that continued dependence on imported grain could weaken local agriculture and undermine Zimbabwe’s long-term food sovereignty goals.
Government has defended SI 87 of 2025 as a key component of its import substitution strategy, aimed at boosting domestic agricultural output, reducing foreign currency outflows and enhancing national food security.
Treasury has reaffirmed its support for the revised grain marketing framework, emphasizing that revenues collected through the levies are being directed toward farmer payments and irrigation development projects. Authorities say approximately US$5.7 million has already been raised and channelled into programmes intended to support agricultural productivity across the country.
The Indigenous Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (IGMAZ) has welcomed the High Court’s decision, describing the levy regime as essential for safeguarding the gains of the Land Reform Programme and promoting indigenous participation in agricultural value chains.
IGMAZ also warned that excessive dependence on imports risks turning Zimbabwe into what it described as a “supermarket economy,” reliant on foreign producers while domestic agriculture and industry struggle to remain competitive.
Farmer unions, legal experts and senior Government officials have similarly voiced support for the policy, arguing that the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act provides the legal basis for imposing such levies in pursuit of agricultural development and national food security.
Proponents further maintain that many countries that successfully industrialised and strengthened domestic production sectors relied on targeted protection measures before exposing local industries to unrestricted international competition.
