Djo BaNkuna aka the ‘Cabbage Bandit’ was growing food in his front yard for the last three years with an aim to feed starving people in his unfortunate community until the police came to his residence threatening him with jail time if he didn’t remove the crops that not only fed his family, but the unfortunate people of his community too.
“I was served two documents: (1) with a Criminal Procedures Act Notice to Appear at the Wonderboom Municipal Court on 23/11/2021 on the charges of “intentionally interfere in any manner to the property of the Municipality” by planting cabbage outside at the corner (that was the exact quote) and (2) I am Issued the maximum fine of R1500 to be paid within 30 days and a permanent criminal record for planting cabbage and onions. No by-law cited,” says Djo.
According to IOL, Djo’s story has caused outrage around the country and in honour of the Tshwane resident, the City of Cape Town took a different approach where food insecurity and poverty is concerned.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management at the City of Cape Town, Grant Twigg, said spaces that are used as dumping grounds, should be used for flower and vegetable gardens as long as there is a pedestrian walkway.
“From our side, we would encourage people to do exactly what the gentleman did, because one of the things we are encouraging is that people look after the area immediately adjacent to their property.
“When people do not look after the spaces adjacent to properties, they often become dumping sites.
“Within the City of Cape Town, we have got food gardens and in some areas, we are encouraging people to plant flowers,” Twigg said.
Facebook group, Sidewalk Food Gardens SA, was also started in honour of the ‘Cabbage Bandit’ with an aim to promote the hobby of gardening and that other cities will adopt the same mission to plant vegetables and flower gardens in public spaces, as long as it doesn’t cause any obstruction and resolves some of the food-related poverty issues the country currently faces.
Also read:
“You cultivate a garden, you feed a community. I am not afraid” – ‘Cabbage Bandit’
Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery