Pretoria man fined R1,500 for growing cabbage on pavement
Planting vegetables or fruits outside your home, on municipal property, is a criminal offence in South Africa. Here are some of the charges you can face with the Law.
There are many benefits to growing your own vegetable garden.
Not only is it cheaper, but it is also a great way of getting fresh food.
But it is very important to check where you plant your vegetables or fruit.
A Pretoria man recently got into trouble with the law after he decided to plant his vegetables on the pavement.
The man, Djo BaNkuna, has now been fined R1,500 by the City of Tshwane.
Taking to Facebook, the man said five Tshwane Metro Police Department police cars arrived at his place and served him with a Criminal Procedures Act Notice to Appear at the Wonderboom Municipal Court.
The man says he was charged with "intentionally interfere in any manner to the property of the Municipality" by planting cabbage outside at the corner (exact quote) and was issued the maximum fine of R1,500 to be paid within 30 days.
He says he was also told that he would get a permanent criminal record for planting cabbage and onions.
"The might of the law has been unleashed upon me and my cabbage patch. At around midday, five TMPD police cars convoyed to my place (two Van's and three other cars). About 16 officers in total. I was served two documents: (1) with a Criminal Procedures Act Notice to Appear at the Wonderboom Municipal Court on 23/11/2021. I am charged with: "intentionally interfere in any manner to the property of the Municipality" by planting cabbage outside at the corner (exact quote). (2) I am Issued the maximum fine of R1500 to be paid within 30 days and permanent criminal record for planting cabbage and onions. No by-law cited," he wrote on Facebook.
"The Cabbage Bandit chooses the option of going to defend ourselves in court. So the next stop is court on 23/11/2021 (Address: 3050 Daan De Wet Nel Dr, Winternest AH, Akasia in Pretoria North). Whatever happens there, a Section 27(1)(b) Constitutional Constitutional Court application is also a reality. We must change the outlook and attitude towards food security and hunger. The road is long, but enlightenment is at the horizon. We must not give up, no matter what we face. Thank you for the support, prayers and your offer of assistance. Remember: You buy a vegetable and you feed a family, you cultivate a garden you feed a community. I am not afraid," he wrote.
See his post below.
Image courtesy of Facebook/ @Djo BaNkuna