29 Jan 2014

All gates leading to the lands (fields) and cattle posts would be closed and be replaced with cattle grids, in an effort to curb livestock movement along the roads.

Speaking in Shakwe and Makwate on January 29, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said  government was concerned about gates that were passage ways to the lands or cattle post that were left open most of the time.

Mr Molefhi said government would phase out all gates and replace them with cattle grids instead. He said government had put up gates with the hope that they would be closed after use, but that was not happening, and some gates had been removed and or stolen for personal use.

He said gates that were left open had contributed a lot to livestock being found on roadsides and this contributed in no small way to road accidents. He said cattle grids would be used as obstacles and as a way of preventing livestock from moving to the roads. Cattle grids depressed livestock making it difficult for them to cross them, he stated.

He said, however, that this was going to affect those using donkey carts in that they would be expected to travel long distances to the main junction in order to cross over to the other side. Mr Molefhi said the move was meant to remove livestock from the roads. Animals are known for frequently causing accidents on our roads, causing injuries and taking lives of people.

On other issues,  Mr Molefhi said livestock found on road sides would be confiscated and the owners will be charged P5 000 per head. He stated that for a long time, Batswana had been advised to remove their livestock from road sides but, they continued to allow them to roam and graze along the roads.

He said it was the responsibility of anyone who owned an animal to ensure that such animals were properly contained. The minister further urged people to herd their cattle as that would reduce cases of stock theft. ENDS