‘Council to slash maize’

Evelene Taadira Herald Reporter
Harare City Council has called upon residents to stop growing crops in unsanctioned areas, warning they risk having their crops slashed.
The start of the rainy season has seen residents planting crops in open spaces, some of them along roads and stream banks. Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Philip Pfukwa yesterday said council was ready to slash crops.
“We will be cutting grass and any other plants on road edges as this is a hindrance to proper driving.

“Once the vegetation is in the way we will not hesitate to slash,” he said.
He said stream bank cultivation was not allowed.

“Those who plant crops in unauthorised areas also risk having it slashed.
“There are channels which residents should follow so that they can be properly allocated areas to do their cultivation.
“We want to prevent a case where people just use land randomly without permission,” he said.

Mrs Mary Kanyongo from Glen View said residents had no other option than to plant their crops in the available spaces.
“Its unfortunate that some people plant their maize near roads, but council’s response to giving us spaces to farm is always negative.

“Sometimes the district officer tells you off inconsiderately. We have to fend for our families,” she said.
Although farming was traditionally regarded as dirty the need for supplementary income has seen many residents in the cities planting crops mostly maize in the open spaces available near residential areas.