adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
LARGE herds of livestock have reportedly invaded Hwange urban, including the central business district (CBD), as they migrate from nearby villages in search of water and pastures.
Cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep have literally camped mainly between Hwange Colliery Company general purpose offices and the district development coordinator’s offices along the main street connecting the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Highway to the CBD.
Some animals are in Baboab low-density suburb as well as Empumalanga and Chibondo high-density suburb, which are under the jurisdiction of Hwange Local Board (HLB), while others are in the Hwange Colliery and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) concession areas, especially in Number 1 and Lwendulu.
The animals strayed into the urban area in search of water and grazing pastures after streams dried up in villages while boreholes are overwhelmed by both people and animals.
The animals are destroying gardens and water taps, while also posing a danger to motorists and other road users.
Cattle and donkeys come from surrounding peri-urban communities such as Cholibondo, Madumabisa, Makwa and St Mary’s.
Goats and sheep belong to the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
The animals are either driven or left to stray into the urban areas to graze on vast stretches of green grass and drink water from numerous sewer streams.
A resident from Ward 5 in Empumalanga, Ms Margaret Chitonje said residents were now taking turns to guard their gardens at night.
People are no longer sleeping peacefully because of the noise as cattle move around, she said. We have resorted to taking turns to guard our vegetables and as residents and we appeal to authorities take action and locate the owners of these cattle, she said.
Greater Whange Residents Trust coordinator Mr Fidelis Chima said scores of residents lost their gardens which have been destroyed by the animals.
He said some of the livestock strays into mining premises.
“There are many cattle and goats especially in Number 2, Number 5 and Empumalanga suburbs and residents are complaining about destruction of gardens and fruit trees, he said. As you may know gardening is now a source of livelihood hence such destruction compromises the food situation for many families.
The Hwange Local Board (HLB) has warned owners of the livestock that they risked having them auctioned.
Hwange Local Board is concerned about the ever-increasing number of cattle, goats and sheep roaming around suburbs, said HLB spokesperson Mr Dumisani Nsingo.
These stray animals are not only disturbing residents’ peace, they are menacingly destroying vegetable gardens and also posing danger to motorists and pedestrians.
To this end, council wishes to advise livestock owners to effectively control movement of their animals and guard against them encroaching into residential areas as they risk being penalised for contravening Council’s keeping of animals, reptile and birds by-laws (Statutory Instrument 359 of 1982, general restriction or keeping of animals Part Six Section 37).
HLB has impounded some of the animals and fined their owners in the past, but the local authority is worried about the high number of repeat offenders.
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