The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) today 24 […]

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) today 24 July restricted journalists from asking questions on allegations circulating online over an alleged K77 million unpaid debt during a press briefing attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT.

The briefing was called to announce the 2026 crop marketing prices and the opening of buying depots, but questions outside those subjects were deferred.

Speaking during the briefing attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, FRA Vice Board Chairperson, Richard Lisimba directed journalists to only ask questions related to maize prices and the commencement of crop purchases.

“Today, we will request that you restrict yourself to the issue of the purchase price and the issues of when the depots will be open for purposes of purchasing the crops,” said Lisimba.

He added that FRA would organize another media briefing to address other matters.

“There will be a time when the Board Chairperson will come and answer all the questions that you may have,” said Lisimba.

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that FRA had recently been trending on both social and traditional media.

“FRA has been in the press, in the social media, and all those issues for, sometimes, wrong things which may not even have happened,” said Lisimba.

The restriction comes days after leaked documents circulated online alleging that UPND Media Director, Mark Simuuwe owed K77 million linked to maize transactions involving the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the Food Reserve Agency.

Article by Phillip Sinkala