26 Oct 2016

Maun Administrative Authority senior assistant council secretary Mr Motshwariemang Matseka says there is no how they could provide a waiver on impounding of stray animals in the village because an intensive consultation was conducted.

He said in an interview as some farmers were calling for the council to consider providing a waiver until the drought situation improves.

He said consultations were long conducted in kgotla meetings with all concerned stakeholders since last year September.

Mr Matseka said prior to the implementation of the bye law regulations, this year some cattle were identified at one of the junctions and efforts were made to trace the owner to collect them.

He said the implementation of the regulations was not meant to punish farmers but to keep the village free of livestock.

He also admitted that there is a certain family that harasses people engaged by the council to impound stray animals citing two incidents in which some employees were beaten up.

He said the issue was reported to the police and currently handling it.

Mr Matseka said to date over 100 cattle had been impounded of which 56 had been claimed by owenrs. It was also reported that 25 donkeys were also impounded of which five have been claimed.

Mr Matseka pointed out that they keep the animals for two weeks after which failure to claim, they would be treated as matimela.

Earlier on some farmers expressed frustrations during interview that the implementation of the regulation came at the wrong time when the district is experiencing a severe drought.

They wished the council could suspend the enforcement temporarily until the drought situation improves. Some admitted that consultation was done in advance but there was nothing they could do as the river is the only source of water for their livestock.

Mr Gobitsa Magola called on the council to at least secure a place and drill a borehole where they could relocate their livestock.

He appreciated the regulations in place but pointed out that farmers whose cattle posts are nearer the village would be disadvantaged by the law as their cattle would always drink from the river.

He also complained about lack of proper care at the kraals noting that their cattle are not fed as expected.  

“The way the animals are fed is not pleasing as it is survival of the fittest, some of the animals would die because of hunger and thirst,” he added.

Another concerned farmer, Mr Enapo Labane said Shashe River is dry and cattle are forced to drink from Thamalakane River which passes through the village.

He concurred that the regulations came at the wrong time and wished they could be suspended until December.

He also wished the council could trace the owner of the cattle since they have brand marks.

“If we fail to collect them, then they could apply the regulations,” he added.

He appreciated that indeed the animals are causing damages in the village but requested the council to be lenient considering the drought situation. ENDS