By Praise Ujani

As one way of curbing theft of fresh maize in people’s gardens, Zomba City Council (ZCC) has banned the selling of cooked or roasted maize in the city.

The council has issued a ban in reference to local government Act of 1998 which is under section 130.

Spokesperson for the council, Mercy Chaluma, said the ban is effective Wednesday 19th February.

Chaluma said: “The ban goes to all those who sale fresh maize, whether cooked or roasted and the decision has been taken with the aim of minimizing theft from the gardens as we know that the crops have matured and are about to be harvested.”

The publicist said the city has received reports of cases of theft from the gardens hence imposing the ban.

She further warned that any person found selling the commodity will be penalized as the council has already alerted the police and the two institutions shall work together.

Meanwhile the council is expected to send its officials who will be accompanied by the police to designated areas to enforce the ban.

In most locations in Zomba, just like other cities across the country, a lot of people are indulging into business of sailing the green maize.