The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has stepped up patrols to curb sand poaching, warning residents that offenders face fines of up to US$1,035 per tonne. The City Council’s Department of Housing and Community Services said illegal sand extraction was damaging the environment and putting both residents and rangers at risk. Speaking at a residents’ meeting at Pumula North Hall, senior Parks Warden Mthabisi Moyo said the council had designated two legal sand pits, at Mazwi and St Mary’s, where residents could pay US$10 to extract sand lawfully.
“We urge residents to comply with the regulations and avoid taking sand from unauthorised areas,” said Moyo. “We have people who travel at night and poach sand, putting themselves and our rangers at risk.” He said areas such as Mguza and Bulilima had river sand deposits, but residents must first apply for permits before extracting material. “The fine for sand poaching is US$1,035 per tonne,” he said, adding that penalties had recently been increased.
“We are tired of people degrading the land,” he said. “We urge residents to report cases of sand poaching and other environmental concerns instead of taking the law into their own hands.” Residents were given contact numbers for reporting offences and encouraged to work with council rangers. Moyo also said the council would engage engineers to rehabilitate disused pits near residential areas to prevent accidents.
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Beyond sand extraction, the council reiterated regulations governing urban farming and livestock keeping under the Bulawayo Urban Culture Policy. While residents are permitted to farm in their yards and designated open spaces, cultivation in wetlands, streams and along roadways is prohibited. “People must leave 10 metres to allow drivers to see when farming in open areas, especially near roadways,” Moyo said.
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