Solwezi council declares grass-thatched perimeter fences unsafe, issues 2-week removal notice

Solwezi Municipal Council (SMC) has issued a ultimatum to owners of houses surrounded with grass perimeter fences.

The two weeks ultimatum will elapse on February 1,2023 or face sanctions from the local authority.

Town clerk  Kabombo Mutakela said the local authority had noted with concern that most residential areas in the district were surrounded with the Mexican sunflower locally known as lunkunja used as a fence for their houses.

Mutakela said in a statement on Thursday that the fence was unsafe for human habitation as well as a potential breeding ground for mosquitos.

He said it was disappointing that despite the health regulations being against the trend, most residential areas in the district are surrounded with the Mexican sunflower locally known as lunkunja.

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He said resident were using to fence off their houses, this is unsafe for human habitation and a potential breeding ground for mosquitos.

The local authority will begin house inspections to ensure that residents abide by the requirement of having clean, green and healthy environments.

Mutakela said owners of residencies where the lunkunja would still be found risk being penalized in accordance with the provisions of the law.

He said   it was the expectation of the council that the residence takes a leading role in cleaning their surroundings and environment to avoid diseases and thereby promoting high standards of hygiene.