News / Local
Residents keep over 200 cattle in Bulawayo city
10 Jun 2017 at 07:59hrs | Views
Revelations have been made that some Bulawayo residents are keeping over 200 cattle in the city contrary to the city by-laws.
According to latest council minutes the Acting Director of Housing and Community Services reported that there were reports of people keeping cattle in the city.
Discussion ensued during council meeting and Councillor Norman Hlabani was concerned about grass cutting work which was incomplete as some areas still had long grass which should be removed/ cut as soon as possible.
"Councillor L. Lubimbi said that stray cattle from St Peters village were destroying residents crops in Magwegwe North and the relevant Departments should accordingly take action. Councillor E. Ncube concurred saying that the situation was difficult to control. He felt that both the cattle owners and crop field owners and those who cultivated crops were operating illegally. Council should accordingly examine by- laws relating to this problem," reads the council minutes.
"Some kept up to 200 herd of cattle in an urban area in violation of municipal by- laws. He sought clarification on the meaning of Peri- Urban and the number of cattle an individual should keep in such areas. Councillor Gideon Mangena requested the Town Clerk to look into the above matter especially concerning the by- laws governing keeping large numbers of cattle and attending to stray animals."
The minutes states that at times clean water was opened for the cattle to drink and nothing was done.
"Surely 200 cattle should be kept on a farm and not residential areas. Councillor Silas Chigora had similar problems in his ward (4) and nothing was done. In response the Acting Director of Housing and Community Services advised that
zoning was carried out by physical planning. St Peters village was Peri- Urban. In view of this stray animals should be reported as soon as they were spotted. So that Rangers could impound them. He confirmed that stray animals were spotted at night," reads the minutes.
"It was therefore necessary to even report at night. The St Peter's situation would be investigated so that appropriate action could be taken. Grass cutting was terminated due to lack of funds and the situation would therefore be reviewed when the situation improved."
According to latest council minutes the Acting Director of Housing and Community Services reported that there were reports of people keeping cattle in the city.
Discussion ensued during council meeting and Councillor Norman Hlabani was concerned about grass cutting work which was incomplete as some areas still had long grass which should be removed/ cut as soon as possible.
"Councillor L. Lubimbi said that stray cattle from St Peters village were destroying residents crops in Magwegwe North and the relevant Departments should accordingly take action. Councillor E. Ncube concurred saying that the situation was difficult to control. He felt that both the cattle owners and crop field owners and those who cultivated crops were operating illegally. Council should accordingly examine by- laws relating to this problem," reads the council minutes.
The minutes states that at times clean water was opened for the cattle to drink and nothing was done.
"Surely 200 cattle should be kept on a farm and not residential areas. Councillor Silas Chigora had similar problems in his ward (4) and nothing was done. In response the Acting Director of Housing and Community Services advised that
zoning was carried out by physical planning. St Peters village was Peri- Urban. In view of this stray animals should be reported as soon as they were spotted. So that Rangers could impound them. He confirmed that stray animals were spotted at night," reads the minutes.
"It was therefore necessary to even report at night. The St Peter's situation would be investigated so that appropriate action could be taken. Grass cutting was terminated due to lack of funds and the situation would therefore be reviewed when the situation improved."
Source - Byo24News
