MCC to Crack Down on Roadside Farmers
Malawi's Public Roads Act prohibits any activity such as building or cultivation beside roads.
MZUZU, Malawi- The Mzuzu City Council has threatened to crack down on people who are cultivating along different feeder roads in the city, writes Victor Musongole.
The city has seen a rise in roadside cultivation in several roads around the outskirts of the city, with the Mzuzu Stadium to Zigwagwa Market road, known as Three Bridges road, being one of the most affected.
Some people have cultivated along the road, reducing the space and forcing road users to stick to the middle of the road.
One frequent road user, Elijah Banda, says the roadside cultivation is inconveniencing users as both cyclists and pedestrians are forced into the middle part of the road.
"It's quite unfortunate, looking at how muddy the road is with these rains, and some unpatriotic individuals have planted maize and beans beside the road. This is forcing both cyclers and pedestrians to scramble for the middle part. The city council should act fast," Banda said.
Mzuzu City Council spokesperson Macdonald Gondwe says the council has already issued a stop notice and will crack down on the offenders, as their act is against the law.
"That is a protected area as such it is not proper to cultivate on that land. After noticing the abnormality, the Council intervened and issued a stop notice. Should they continue, the council will act," Gondwe said in a written response.
Malawi's Public Roads Act prohibits any activity such as building or cultivation beside roads.