BCC to charge residents for cultivating in the city

Bulawayo City Council would soon charge monthly rentals on all people who are cultivating on pieces of land in the townships.

The municipality has pegged fees ranging from $10 for every 500 square meters to as high as $335 for 60 hectares.

"The formula was based on the average values of farm in and around the city. It was noted that the average value of farm land was $2 500 per hectare (10 000 square metres or 2,5 acres). Based on this rate, a return of about 3 percent per annum was adopted to arrive at monthly rental," said council on it lasted minutes.

However, deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu says the rentals are too high "as the majority of people were struggling to make ends meet".

 But according to council minutes for May, the mayor, Thaba Moyo disagreed with Mpofu saying the monthly fee were reasonable.

"People could apply in groups and contribute equally towards monthly rentals" said Moyo.

Scores of residents have taken to urban cultivation to supplement basic needs.

 But council has over the years slashed maize when residents are due to harvest a move that is widely condemned.