The Enforcement Division Unit of the Lilongwe City Council is currently undertaking a maize crop-slashing exercise in areas where it is prohibited within the city.
Officer-in-Charge Inspector Allan Domingo, upon speaking on behalf of the Council’s Enforcement Division, stated that his team led the first exercise in Area 43 on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, where some residents planted crops in prohibited areas.
He further added that the team slashed over 10 maize fields, which were planted against the Provision of Physical Planning Act of 2018.
The act specifies that it is illegal to use undeveloped plots, open spaces, and road reserves as agricultural gardens for the cultivation of various crops, including maize, within the City of Lilongwe.
LCC is urging the public to comply with Lilongwe City Council’s bylaws to avoid any inconveniences. However, this move has caused outrage among farmers and residents who are already struggling with the threat of hunger, as maize is a staple food in Malawi. With the recent drought, food insecurity has become a major concern for many households.
