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identified in the city, amid reports that residents will be fined up to $20 for the offence.
The local authority, which has declared war on cultivation in undesignated areas will fine offenders up to $20 in addition to destroying their crops.
At the full council meeting last week, councillors resolved that council should put in place measures to stop illegal cultivation this year.
They said offenders apart from paying a fine will have their crops slashed.
An environmental management committee report shows that the local authority recently concluded an exercise to map out the areas where the environmentally degradation activity takes place.
“The exercise to identify areas where residents were engaging in illegal stream bank cultivation has been concluded. Warning letters will be served to culprits shortly,” read the report.
According to the report, stream bank cultivation was rampant at places that include Emganwini, Cowdray Park, Pumula North, Magwegwe West, Mazai River, Lobengula, Richmond, Khami sewage, Mahatshula, Selborne Park, Famine, Douglasdale, Khumalo and Luveve Railway Line streams.
At the full council meeting, a number of councillors said the issue of stream bank cultivation was very sensitive and pointed out that last year, council bowed to pressure from residents and politicians to stop the slashing of crops.
The Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo, told councillors that they did not deserve to be in office if they were afraid to tell residents the truth.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) fines local authorities up to $5 000 for every case of illegal cultivation.
EMA does not fine individual residents, arguing that residents grow crops at undesignated areas because the local authority would have failed to enforce by-laws prohibiting them from doing so.
EMA said the practice contravened statutory Instrument 7 of 2007.
It is stated in SI 7/2007 that any operation, including cultivation, should be at least 30 metres from the highest flood level of any river, stream or natural waterways.
It also prohibits cultivation on wetlands, hilltops or steep slopes.
Online Reporter