Mbuso Nkalakatha Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has warned residents against cultivating crops in undesignated areas. In a statement, the Town Clerk Mr Middleton Nyoni advised members of the public to desist from cultivating on unauthorised areas. “Members of the public should desist from cultivating within 30 metres of the verge of any spring, vleis, sponge, marsh and swamp or reed bed or within 30 metres of high flood level of any body of artificially conserved water and within 10 metres along road verges,” said Mr Nyoni.
“White stone beacons have been placed to demarcate the above areas and cultivators who exceed stone beacons risk having their crops destroyed,” he said.
The city council’s senior public relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said council will engage residents to make sure they understood the regulations and expressed hope that residents would heed the council warning. “We will engage the residents as part of our awareness campaigns.
We encourage residents with queries to approach their nearest housing offices and our parks section for more information,” said Mrs Mpofu.
Asked what action the council would take against residents who go ahead and cultivate on unauthorised land despite warnings and awareness campaigns, she said the law would take its course.
Council has over the years destroyed crops cultivated on undesignated areas.



