GCC meets on rampant roaming livestock
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday January 6, 2016 13:02
While roaming livestock has generally plagued Gaborone, the problem has worsened in recent months as small-scale farmers in the city’s environs herd their animals into the city for the little remaining pasture.
The livestock, predominantly cattle and goats, have dimmed Gaborone’s hopes of being a “Diamond City” while causing road accidents and infuriating motorists.
The mayor of Gaborone, Kagiso Thutlwe, yesterday told Mmegi that the local authority was worried about the increase in livestock roaming the capital.
“I think this situation now calls on the council to dig deep into its pockets and employ people who can take the livestock out of the city,” he said. “The full council is meeting next week and I hope councillors will deliberate on the matter so that we find a solution. The problem that we found ourselves with is that some farmers take their cattle to Segoditshane River to drink but the water is dirty.”
Thutlwe expressed hope that the issue, a long running concern for the council, would improve by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, specially elected councillor Kagiso Ntime said the phenomenon of cattle roaming Gaborone was a disappointment because the capital city aspired to be a global diamond centre.
“Action needs to be taken against herdboys and owners of the cattle who are permitting their cattle to roam around the city,” he said. “These cattle may cause accidents and some are even destroying people’s plants especially in yards which do not have screen walls.”
Ntime said the council should consider reviewing the current penalties because they were not deterrent.
“I think farmers should find a way of feeding their cattle and providing them with water. We understand that the country is hit hard by drought but that doesn’t mean that people should be allowed to commit offences without action being taken,” he said.
Tlogatloga councillor, Rhoda Sekgororoane said though the drought is a concern to farmers, they should consider that there are laws controlling the city.
“I think councillors will have to make a decision on what can be done on the matter,” Sekgororoane said.