25 Aug 2020

Stray animals, which freely roam the streets of Gaborone are a serious menace to city dwellers, especially motorists. 

Gaborone City Council Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms Segametsi Kebonang told BOPA in an interview that several lives had already been lost, and many people have been maimed in accidents involving stray animals. 

Ms Kebonang said the root cause of the problem was that the owners of the animals from surrounding villages and lands, let their animals loose to graze without anyone taking care of them. She said another contributing factor was that the animals had to pass through the city on their way out in search of better pastures.

Ms Kebonang said the council had come up with more and better strategies to deal with the problem, such as increasing the number of herdsmen and extending their hours of operation, to deal with the problem.

She said the plan was to drive the animals away late in the evening and early in the morning, as it had been observed that they were visible during periods when motorists were also busy heading home or to work.

Ms Kebonang said impounding the animals was a tedious process, which involved money that council did not have, as the animals had to be fed and watered, whereas the amount of money charged to the owners was little.

She appealed to farmers to always ensure that their livestock are kraaled at night and looked after during the day to save lives.

Ms Kebonang also urged motorists to always be vigilant and observe speed limits while driving, especially at night. ends