By ZR Reporter
A counterfeit seed scam has been uncovered in Chipata District of Eastern Province after a businessman discovered that his company’s name was being illegally used to sell fake seeds.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred on 27th November 2025 around 11:00 hours in Mtenguleni area of Chipata District.
Mr. Mweemba says Juma Nyirenda aged 44, a businessman of Kalongwezi, reported Boston Liche, aged 50, for allegedly exploiting farmers in different parts of the province under the pretext of selling and supplying counterfeit seeds branded New Life Company Seeds, a seed company registered under the complainant’s name.
He says the suspect was taken to Chipata Central Police Station along with a 25kg bag of counterfeit seed which was recovered.
It was further revealed that the suspect was working with two other individuals identified as Naftali Tembo and Raphael Ng’ombe, both of the Referendum area.
Brief facts of the matter are that Mr. Nyirenda was in Mtenguleni area yesterday around 11:00 hours distributing seeds for sale to farmers when he encountered the suspect with a 25kg bag of soya beans branded in his company’s name, which appeared to be fake.
He approached Liche, who, after being interviewed about the origin of the bag, disclosed that he had received 200 bags of the same seed from Naftali Tembo from a warehouse in the Referendum area.
Mr. Mweemba says the suspect agreed to take Mr. Nyirenda to the warehouse, but upon arrival they found it locked. However, people in the area alleged that it was Raphael Ng’ombe who had been selling the counterfeit seeds.
Mr. Mweemba says Mr. Nyirenda became suspicious as he knew Raphael Ng’ombe as one of his clients who regularly bought from his warehouse.
A docket has since been opened.
Ends…