27 Jan 2019

Kweneng District agricultural coordinator, Mr Lepodisi Telekelo has confirmed closure of two slaughter slabs in Molepolole for failure to comply with licence requirements.

The failure to comply has led to only one out of four slaughter facilities being in operation in the village, while the other one is undergoing renovations. This has created congestion at the facility.

Speaking to BOPA in an interview recently, Mr Telekelo said the two slaughter slabs were closed after they failed to pay a combined amount of nearly P300 000 as per their licence requirements. Mr Telekelo acknowledged that this has led to huge financial losses to cattle farmers, meat traders as well as butchers.

The coordinator further stated that of the 13 registered slaughter facilities in Kweneng, only four had not paid slaughter slab levies; two in Molepolole and one each in Letlhakeng and Thamaga.

Normally 70 beasts are slaughtered daily to supply Molepolole, but currently, the department has allowed only 24 to be slaughtered per day at the facility that is in operation. This has led to under supply of red meat in the village, with consumers paying more for meat as the law of supply and demand kicks in. This is not a first for Molepolole.

The department has observed that slaughter slab owners did not handle their financial obligations as required, though it had a revenue collector who was ready to collect levies every day.

“Slaughter facilities owners fail to remit government dues as required by the law,” he said, adding that such failure led to cattle farmers and traders being ‘caught in the cross-fire’.

Mr Koontse Thuba, a cattle farmer, described the situation as ‘very unpleasant and also too expensive’ for them.

He nevertheless said that the ministry recently acceded to their request to increase capacity, resulting in the number of animals slaughtered being increased from 16 to 24 at the facility in operation.

Mr Thebele Mmese, a meat trader, said the situation had affected their businesses because if only a limited number of beasts was slaughtered in a day, a lot of them ‘go to bed hungry’. Slaughter facilities are required to collect P30 for each beast slaughtered and remit the money at the Department of Veterinary Services as a condition for renewal of licences.  ENDS