Speaking to Zodiak Online, Councillor for the area, Joseph Chiphaliwali said that the maize was being bought in 25 kilogramme bags by people disguised as poor community members.

"The vendor used casual labourers to buy the staple grain in 25kgs rations and later refill them to 50kgs bags at a nearby maize field but people managed to burst that syndicate," said Chiphaliwali.

An eye witness, Zonda Lingstone also says that many people in the area are failing to purchase the staple grain due to its unavailability "but we have seen many leaving the premises with the maize."

But depot manager Ida Kungwimba has denied knowledge of the incident saying she does not know who a vendor is or not.

"I can't tell who is buying the maize and we just sell to the people in the 25kg ration," she said.

She then added that the development was news to her.

Meanwhile, the confiscated maize is currently at Ligowe police unit, with the alleged vendor and middlemen at large.

Government opened Admarc depots for people to buy a portion of a 25kg bag for household.