Kweneng council embarks on exercise to remove livestock from villages
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday August 26, 2014 15:10
Council Chairperson Leo Mothophi told Mmegi the removal of all livestock in major villages such as Molepolole, Mogoditshane, Mmopane, Letlhakeng and other areas was supposed to have effected last week.
“Unfortunately we have to follow procedure and do consultation with the village elders. As the council we have agreed to embark on the exercise but it must be blessed by the community before any action is taken,” he said.
Mothophi explained that the exercises is meant to make all the villages much safer as he pointed out that livestock has been one of the biggest contributors of road accidents in recent times.
He also added that the roaming of livestock especially in urban villages has been an eyesore and also that it hinders outdoor activities.
He said contrary to popular belief, farmers in the area are struggling to acquire grazing land and it was apparent that most people migrate their livestock from grazing points such as lands to where they reside.
“A few may not have fields but the majority of livestock in these villages have been migrated from their grazing land to where their owners are based,” he said.
He noted that once consultation has been done and the ministry has approved the order, those who fail to comply with it would pay stiffer penalties.
Mothophi further said they have engaged land board about the issue but the response they got was that there was not much could be done as they are guided by the Tribal Land Act to allocate plots.