03 Apr 2017

Kalkfontein councillor, Mr Alec Motlhophele has suggested that a veterinary services office be established in Charleshill to cater for Ghanzi South farmers.

He said the only veterinary office in the region, situated at Ghanzi, was not convenient to all farmers, especially Ghanzi South farmers.

He noted that there were concerns that some farmers only tag animals when they intend to sell, saying this was due to the inconvenience caused by the lack of a veterinary office at the farmer’s disposal.

Mr Motlhophele was commenting on the speech by Ghanzi District Council chairperson, Mr Thato Tshweneyagae on Friday.

In his speech, Mr Tshweneyagae said it had been noted that farmers were tagging animals only when they intended to sell.

He said 18 943 Animal Information and Traceability System (BAITS) tags were sold to farmers since January 1, while 14 751 cattle have been captured in the system.

On other issues relating to the chairperson’s speech, Grootlaagte councillor, Mr Ezekiel Kajuu called for the construction of magistrate offices.

Earlier, Mr Tshweneyagae had stated that although they were two magistrates in the district, the challenge was having one court room.

The chairperson also appealed to the public to be patient as alternative accommodation for court sessions would be looked at.

He said 163 criminal cases were registered from January 2016 to date, among them 22 rape cases which he said were high.

He said there were 17 cases of stock theft and an increase of maintenance cases, “Although maintenance is a civil case, failure to comply is a criminal offence.”

The councillor for Meriting ward, Mr Bojelo Jacob raised concern about the delay of constructing an abattoir in Ghanzi. He said the abattoir would mitigate unemployment in the region. ENDS