Sewage-contaminated maize spark food safety concerns in Katima

Patience Makwele

Katima Mulilo’s sewage crisis has reached breaking point, with residents, businesses and analysts warning that years of failing sanitation infrastructure are threatening public health, food safety, investment and the town’s economic future.

The latest alarm comes after sewage allegedly contaminated 64 bags of maize valued at N$27,648 while the grain was awaiting delivery to Kamunu depot, intensifying concerns over the impact of the town’s recurring sewer failures on businesses and livelihoods.

The incident has renewed calls for urgent intervention from authorities, with residents accusing leaders of allowing a problem that has existed for years to spiral out of control.

Kamunu owner Shiraz Bhamjee said the reported exposure of maize to sewage water demonstrates the seriousness of the crisis, warning that affected products cannot be allowed back into the food supply chain.

“If sewage water got into it, that thing is condemned. You cannot use it for human consumption. We cannot even put it into our silos because it will contaminate the other maize,” Bhamjee said.

Bhamjee said the incident was the first time his maize stock had been directly affected by sewage, but added that sewer problems have been affecting parts of Katima Mulilo as well as other areas where his businesses are located for years.