Maravi

Chipata residents stone mayor’s house over slashing of maize

Chipata residents stone mayor’s house over slashing of maize
Written by Christopher Mite in Chipata
Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:02:21 AM

IRATE Chipata residents yesterday stoned Chipata mayor Sinoya Mwale’s house in Kapata compound hours after the council started slashing maize on hill slops.
Mwale, who confirmed the incident in an interview, said he was not at home when the people stoned his house.

“I had gone to the farm but I have just heard that some people have stoned my house but I have not yet been there. I have also been advised by police not to go to Kapata but at the moment, police are at my house to control the situation,” he said.

Mwale said the matter had already been reported to Chipata police.

“As I am talking to you now, my wife has gone to police to record a statement because you know, on issues such as this one, the law must always take its course,” he said.

Mwale said according to the reports he was receiving, the people had damaged some windowpanes.

Asked to confirm whether the residents had stoned his house because the council had started slashing maize on hill slops, Mwale said he was also thinking in the same lines.

He said the issue of slashing maize from hill slops had become political.

“A lot of people have welcomed this idea but most of those that are against it are being incited by politicians,” said Mwale.

When contacted for comment acting Chipata municipal council town clerk Noel Muchimba could not comment on the matter.

The local authority started the exercise of slashing maize from hill slops in Nabvutika area.

Earlier in the morning, a team of council and state police officers swung into action and slashed maize that has been cultivated on hill slops in Nabvutika.

According to ZANIS, the council, with the protection of state police, moved into the area as early as 07:00 hours to slash the maize.

Eyewitnesses said there was resistance from field owners which forced police to start firing tear gas canisters to disperse them.

Some affected farmers who stormed the district commissioner’s office carrying maize stalks pleaded with the local authority to stop slashing the maize, claiming that they had already applied fertiliser in their fields.

The residents, who openly wept as they waited to seek audience with the district commissioner Nicholas Banda, said the council should have warned them not to cultivate on hill slops last year in August, adding that the most affected persons were looking after vulnerable people.

One of the residents, Violet Mwale, said a lot of vulnerable people were being helped through the same cultivation of maize and that the department of social welfare alone could not manage to help needy people in society.

Labels: CHIPATA, MAIZE, RIOTS, SINOYA MWALE

posted by MrK @ 2:03 AM