There are fears that the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot in Raffingora lost tonnes of maize after it was soaked by rain last week because of poor storage.

Sources said the maize, which was stacked at the depot, had been exposed to the rains.

“On the afternoon in question, the workers had gone for lunch leaving the stacks of maize uncovered when the rains came,” a source said.

“It rained heavily and they only managed to cover it after the rains had stopped, by which time we strongly believe, most of the maize had been damaged.”

When NewsDay visited the depot early this week, the maize was covered by tents. GMB provincial manager John Mafa dismissed the allegations saying no maize had been exposed to the rains.

“What you are asking me is not news to me. Recently we received calls from Harare head office asking us about maize, which was being exposed to the rains, which I was not aware of,” Mafa said.

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