31 May 2015

The proposed amendment of some sections of Matimela Act intends to reduce expenses and enhance collection of matimela, says the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Serowe on May 26, Mr Tsogwane said under the current situation, it took long for the owners to collect their cattle.

He said the proposed move would reduce the financial burden on the council as a lot of money was spent on taking care of stray animals through feeding, watering and paying for expenses of drugs of the animals during their stay in council kraals.

Mr Tsogwane noted that the new reforms stated that the time for claiming stray cattle from the council holding facilities would be reduced from six months to three months.

The minister also stated that for people who found these stray cattle, they would be required to report them within 14 days so that the council could collect them, notify the owners, and brand them as stray cattle five days after reaching council holding facilities.

He assured the people that even though the period for collection of stray cattle had been reduced, farmers could still claim their cattle a day before the selling takes place. The minister also urged the farmers to collect their stray cattle well in time to reduce expenses being incurred by councils.

Mr Tsogwane stated that those who take stray cattle to the council holding facilities would be given P43.00 as compensation and if a person brings more than one cow, P3.00 would be added per cow.

The minister also informed the public about the new initiative underway to help improve the lives of people in rural places. On Local Economic Development (LED), Mr Tsogwane said it was designed to improve the living standards of people in rural areas and eradicate poverty.

Commenting, some residents said the Councils should continue as the custodian of stray animals and also complained that Matimela cattle were not taken care of.  Ends