The Rundu Town Council has destroyed crops planted next to the sewerage pond at Kaisosi location.

The subsistence farmers are unhappy, saying they were not notified.

The subsistence farmers have been farming on the land next to the sewerage pond for almost five years.

Farmers say they derive their livelihood from these crops.

Despite the angry commotion at the scene, the council continued with its work and, in the process, destroyed some crop fields that were far from the sewerage pond.

The law enforcement officer within the council, Anton Peter, says at the moment they are only removing crops next to the sewerage pond because it needs to be fixed.

"We are at Kaisosi, at the sewerage pond. It's in the vicinity of the municipal area. There are people who cultivate mahangu fields and maize. They went to the extent of planting along the sewerage, and by law, it's not allowed for people to plant any food products on the sewerage ponds. So what is taking place now is that we are going to destroy the maize meal and mahangu that's planted at the sewerage pond."

Despite the farmers' denials of being notified, Peter confirmed that the farmers were aware.

Two years ago, a horticulture garden was destroyed because it was too close to the sewerage pond.

"They were given enough notice for the past few years they have been cultivating, and in the last two years they told them to remove it because the regulation does not allow anyone to plant anything in the vicinity of town provided you have written permission from the council."

The farmers questioned why the council is only destroying the crops at this stage, now that they are close to harvest.

"When the town council got here, we, the owners of the crop fields, were not aware because we were not informed. They got here with their truck tours and started destroying our maze and mahangu; apparently, they are making way; we are angry because we were not informed; why not come in peace."

"My maze field is destroyed now just because they apparently have to get to the crops that are closer to the sewerage. I thought they were going to let us be since we are almost at harvest and only come stop us after we have harvested. Imagine that our crops are already destroyed by the sun. We were hoping the little that survived will be harvested now that they have come and done this. This crop field helps me raise my children as a single mother."

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NBC Digital News

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Author
Elizabeth Mwengo