News / Regional
Cattle found roaming around Plumtree Town to be impounded
26 Sep 2013 at 03:25hrs | Views
THE Plumtree Town Council has given an ultimatum to farmers from Mangwe and Bulilima districts to drive out their cattle which graze in the town or risk losing them.
According to a public notice released by the local authority, the town council would with effect from Monday impound all cattle found roaming around the town.
Plumtree Town Secretary Mr Davis Dumezweni Luthe said the development would help restore order in the border town.
"There is no way that cattle can be allowed to graze within the town. This is a sign of disrespect by owners of these animals and we will ensure they adhere to this directive or they will suffer the consequences of breaking the law," warned Mr Luthe.
"Come Monday we will start impounding all the cattle which we will find roaming around the town."
The ultimatum comes after the town's leadership expressed concern over the increase in road accidents along the Bulawayo-
Plumtree highway, which are mainly caused by the animals.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting for the three local authorities in Plumtree on Tuesday, Mangwe District Administrator Mrs Felistas Gangada said the animals had become a nuisance to Plumtree residents.
"The cattle that are roaming around the town have become a menace as they are causing havoc. They are left by their owners to roam around anywhere and at whatever time of the day.
"These animals are also invading homes and Government offices. Owners of these cattle deliberately drive their animals to graze within the town," she said.
Mrs Gangada said a number of accidents caused by the animals had been recorded in the border town.
"Lives have been lost in accidents as a result of these cattle that roam around willy nilly. These animals have become a major threat to drivers especially at night.
"As we speak the town council does not have a fire engine after its truck hit a cow this month while on a rescue mission," she said.
According to statistics, the Plumtree Traffic Department has this year recorded 51 road accidents along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road caused by the animals.
The highest figure has been recorded this month with 10 accidents having occurred compared to seven last month.
Of these accidents, a fatal one was recorded in May while 18 passengers were injured early this month when a bus they were travelling in hit a cow at the 78km peg along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road.
According to a public notice released by the local authority, the town council would with effect from Monday impound all cattle found roaming around the town.
Plumtree Town Secretary Mr Davis Dumezweni Luthe said the development would help restore order in the border town.
"There is no way that cattle can be allowed to graze within the town. This is a sign of disrespect by owners of these animals and we will ensure they adhere to this directive or they will suffer the consequences of breaking the law," warned Mr Luthe.
"Come Monday we will start impounding all the cattle which we will find roaming around the town."
The ultimatum comes after the town's leadership expressed concern over the increase in road accidents along the Bulawayo-
Plumtree highway, which are mainly caused by the animals.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting for the three local authorities in Plumtree on Tuesday, Mangwe District Administrator Mrs Felistas Gangada said the animals had become a nuisance to Plumtree residents.
"The cattle that are roaming around the town have become a menace as they are causing havoc. They are left by their owners to roam around anywhere and at whatever time of the day.
"These animals are also invading homes and Government offices. Owners of these cattle deliberately drive their animals to graze within the town," she said.
Mrs Gangada said a number of accidents caused by the animals had been recorded in the border town.
"Lives have been lost in accidents as a result of these cattle that roam around willy nilly. These animals have become a major threat to drivers especially at night.
"As we speak the town council does not have a fire engine after its truck hit a cow this month while on a rescue mission," she said.
According to statistics, the Plumtree Traffic Department has this year recorded 51 road accidents along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road caused by the animals.
The highest figure has been recorded this month with 10 accidents having occurred compared to seven last month.
Of these accidents, a fatal one was recorded in May while 18 passengers were injured early this month when a bus they were travelling in hit a cow at the 78km peg along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road.
Source - Chronicle
