Blantyre City Council has released an urgent notice, reminding the general public that cultivating crops along the road reserve, Riverine, Hills and other fragile places, is strictly forbidden by the law.

The warning follows as Malawi is about to experience its first rains, as households are preparing to plant maize in the fields. Households are noted to cultivate in the said regions, in order to reap the most. Speaking to Biznews, the BCC Public Relations Manager Mr Anthony Kasunda said that the council will act on the malpractice. “The Council has a right to remove such crops without offering any compensation” he said.

In January thi year, BCC launched a toll free line for Blantyre residents to call on. Kasunda said the line was means of residents to address their needs or queries. “We want to receive feedback, directly from the residents so that we can provide them with the services they need” he said.

Blantyre residents can call 800001001, but the line is available only for MTL subscribers. “We are amidst setting up a line with Airtel and TNM, which should be ready soon, to broaden our reach to residents” said Kasunda.