Niassa: abandoned for 12 years space becomes haven for criminals in Cuamba district

Residents are frustrated with the land abandoned for years in the Emocha neighborhood in the city of Cuamba, Niassa province.

A plot of land abandoned for around 12 years has become a refuge for killers and a source of diseases in the Emocha neighborhood in the city of Cuamba, Niassa province in northern of Mozambique.

This situation has raised concerns among the residents, who are asking for a quick solution to prevent further problems "We are very upset with the situation of this space. They kill dogs and snakes and throw them in this space, and we have to bear the smell. My son catches a cold often because of the trash dumped here," lamented Joana Elias, a neighbor.

Avelina, one of the residents near the site, also said "This space is very complicated. The owner does not want to sell and does not want anyone to live here. Criminals hide here, throw dogs and trash here, which causes many diseases. The only solution is for the owner to sell this land."

Meanwhile, the neighborhood leader revealed that the owner of the land abandoned the area to live elsewhere and refuses to make the space available to interested parties "I've been complaining about this land for a long time. The owner does not want to sell, but he also does not clean the area. He has let it become a jungle. I've spoken to him several times about selling, but he refuses," said Guiador Vaileque, the neighborhood leader. (Jaime Paculeque)