Tshwane Man Fined R1 500 For Growing a Vegetable Garden on a Verge

• The Tshwane Metro Police Department didn't take kindly to Joe Nkuna's community vegetable garden created on a verge outside his house
• For three years, Joe Nkuna had been growing a vegetable garden on the verge outside his house to help poor neighbours
• The TMPD told Nkuna that he needed to remove the garden because it was breaking the law by gardening without a permit

PRETORIA - Tshwane metro police department (TMPD) officers previously warned Joe Nkuna that if he did not remove his sidewalk vegetable garden he could be arrested for breaking by-laws and they have now decided to fine him R1 500 for his garden.

Nkuna took to Facebook under the name Djo BaNkuna to explain that police visited him at his home to hand him the fine and gave him 30 days to pay it. Nkuna stated that he would rather take his chances at court and defend himself.

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Nkuna says started his garden to assist his wife who is a social worker. His wife would donate fruits and vegetables that she bought to help people from impoverished backgrounds in Pretoria.

According to TimesLIVE, Nkuna began gardening on the verge three years ago and has since harvested pumpkins, beetroot, sweet potatoes and onions.

After years of success and helping people that were in need, Nkuna was told by authorities that someone had lodged a complaint against him and told him he was not allowed to plant on the pavement without permission.

According to IOL, the police told Nkuna in accordance with the by-law, he needs a permit from his local municipality to plant on the side of the road because that area belongs to the local government, however, he says people in the municipal offices are not aware of such a by-law.

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Nkuna was told he could plant on the verge but it would be at his own risk. Unfortunately, Nkuna told the police he did not need a permit.

They told him he still needed to remove his garden despite the by-law not being in existence. They warned that he did not remove his garden he could be jailed. He added that if the garden is really a problem for the police he will remove it.

Young woman starts sustainable farming business, inspires Mzansi

Briefly News previously reported that a local entrepreneur has dazzled Mzansi with her up-and-coming seed business. The inspiring businesswoman has created packaging for her products from recycled paper which makes the seedlings totally eco-friendly.

Heading online, local business page @KasiEconomy shared her story.

"Meet @lerat0_ founder of @LinaleliC a company that retails SEED paper products, once planted the paper grows into flowers,herbs or veggies. The paper is RECYCLED and embedded with seeds.

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"The paper is great for, business card, flyer, bookmark etc," they captioned the post.

South African social media users were left awe-struck. Many wanted to know exactly how they could get their hands on a pack of the cool seeds.

Check out some of the comments below:

@macsleem said:

"When will it go global? We need it in Kenya."

@T_Daniel__ said:

"Nice invention, love it."

@LooAfrique said:

"This is brilliant... These can make perfect gift cards #comeyearendfunction."

Source: Briefly News