GWANDA Rural District Council (GRDC) intends to make a raft of changes to by-laws
concerning the issue of stray cattle.
GRDC Administration officer, Khulekani Sithole, announced this during a recent routine
meeting with Garanyemba farmers in Gwanda South.
He said the new proposed by-laws would mandate one to report stray cattle to the police,
councillors, Veterinary department, or Council the very same day it gets attached to one's herd.
After three months, the animal will be ready for auctioning if the owner has not come to claim
it, said Sithole.
He added that in other measures meant to curb the surge of stock theft, the council would only
utilise monthly cattle auction sales as the only way of legally selling cattle.
This should go a long way in stopping underhand cattle sales that are ever rising. This
aforementioned proposal goes hand-in-glove with another by-law that imposes the use of cattle
sales as the suitable place to trade and ensure that all livestock are charged properly and free
from disease, with proper paperwork being carried out
As we fast-track our gears to curb stock theft, we have opted for a toll-free line to help all
communities in terms of communication as it is vital, he said.
Godfrey Moyo, a villager under Chief Nhlamba, applauded the proposals and said the issue of
stray animals had been of major concern in the area, as this financially strains farmers.
I support the proposed laws, and especially, where we will be given three months to look for our
cattle – which is fine – because currently we are given just a short time before it becomes
officially confiscated.
But I also have questions, as you know currently there is an outbreak of blackleg and January
diseases; should I also doze/vaccinate the stray animal in my herd?
If the animal is a bull as that always happens with new inmates in any kraal should I castrate it?
It becomes difficult to handle a foreign animal within my herd, said
Moyo.
The Council has also proposed new by-laws among them that will govern the harvesting of
mopane worms, building, protection of natural resources, and cycling.
