Harare – The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has extended an invitation to controversial social media activist Rutendo Benson Matinyarare, asking him to present his evidence on accusations that Innscor Africa, one of Zimbabwe’s largest food manufacturers, is supplying genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in its food products without adequately informing the public. Matinyarare, known for his provocative and often polarizing statements, has gone so far as to claim that these GMOs may contain carcinogens, contributing to rising cancer cases in the country.
In a letter to Matinyarare, GMAZ expressed concern over his claims, noting that these issues are of “great national public health security importance.” The association invited him to a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 17th September 2024, at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare, where he will be expected to provide scientific evidence to back his explosive allegations.
“Our esteemed members have been following your social media posts on your claim that some local mealie meal brands contain cancer-causing agents,” wrote Moses Maunganidze, GMAZ’s National Executive Committee Secretary. “We respectfully submit that this engagement is in the best interest of consumers, who have the right to know.”
For months, Matinyarare has been using his online platforms to target Innscor Africa, accusing the food giant of secretly using GMOs in their products. He has repeatedly claimed that these GMOs are linked to cancer risks, creating alarm among Zimbabwean consumers, though he has yet to provide concrete scientific proof to substantiate his assertions.
Matinyarare’s controversial remarks have already landed him in legal hot water. Recently, a South African High Court ruled against him, stating that no amount of monetary compensation could repair the reputational damage he has caused to Innscor Africa and its founder. The court ordered Matinyarare to halt his defamatory attacks until his appeal against a prior injunction is resolved.
Despite these legal setbacks, Matinyarare has continued to fan the flames of controversy, stoking fears about food safety in Zimbabwe with his claims about GMOs. Innscor Africa, for its part, has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that their products meet all health and safety standards.
With GMAZ’s invitation, Matinyarare now has the opportunity to back up his incendiary accusations with hard evidence. The grain milling sector, along with the public, awaits to see whether he can substantiate his claims or if his inflammatory rhetoric will unravel under scrutiny.
The upcoming meeting could be a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about GMOs and food safety in Zimbabwe, with many questioning whether Matinyarare’s controversial stance is grounded in fact—or mere sensationalism.
