adminPlaxcedes Hove Chronicle reporter
THIEVES are wreaking havoc in Bulawayo, forcing urban farmers to reap their crops before they are ready for harvest. One of the farmers, Benjani Munatsi of Selbourne Park told Chronicle that he found half his field of maize chopped down by thieves recently.“I found half of my crops chopped down and everything that I worked for was stolen. I expected to harvest a lot maize from the hard work I put in but unfortunately half of my produce was stolen. I was forced to harvest all my crops before they were ready for consumption because I was afraid they would be stolen”, said Munatsi.
Another farmer who preferred anonymity said he found a push cart parked with maize in his field.
“I went to my fields and found a scania full of maize and my crops were chopped down. It seems the thief was loading it and was ready to take off but could not come back when he saw me in the fields.
“The scania was taken by the police to Hillside Police Station and the matter is still under investigation,” he said.
Victor Jaya said the thefts were threatening household food security.
The farmers appealed for police intervention.
“We would like the police to intervene because farming is our source of living. Police should investigate those who sell farm produce on where they get it because thieves are inconveniencing us as farmers,” said a farmer.
Online Reporter