The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
As cases of macadamia nuts theft increase in Chipinge, farmers have called for lawmakers to consider introducing stiffer penalties for macadamia robbers.
Statutory Instrument 138 of 2019 regulates macadamia production, but farmers feel that it is lenient on robbers.
The farmers’ plea was recently raised in a meeting between the Manicaland Provincial Joint Command Committee (JOC) and macadamia farmers in Clearwater. Macadamia farmer Mr Remeredzai Jombo said only long-term sentences will deter would be offenders.
“Macadamia nuts are highly valuable but those stealing them are getting lenient sentences. We feel that the SI is very lenient as it does not enforce mandatory sentences,” said Mr Jombo.
Another farmer, Mr Phenious Mlambo, said cases of macadamia theft needs to be taken seriously.
Speaking during the meeting, Provincial JOC chairperson and Commander 3 Infantry Brigade Brigadier-General George Chitsva assured farmers that the security forces will play their part in curbing the crime.
“Security stakeholders are coming together so that we can help macadamia farmers track down the armed robbers who use dangerous weapons to steal in the plantations,” he said.
Police Officer Commanding Manicaland Province, Commissioner Dr Wiklef Makamache challenged farmers to properly formalise and register their operations to enable the police to track down thieves and unregistered dealers.
“As macadamia farmers, you are on the advantage because you have a Statutory Instrument that regulates your operations. Please register through the relevant channels so that police can be able to enforce the law. If you are all registered, it will be easier to track down unregistered dealers and deal with them,” he said.
The macadamia industry’s revenue is projected to hit US$1 billion by 2030, hence the call to safeguard the production of the nuts.
