Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyom [email protected]
LIVESTOCK owners who allow their animals to stray onto the country’s highways will face the full force of the law as police intensify efforts to reduce fatal road traffic accidents caused by roaming livestock.
Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba said stray cattle continued to pose a serious threat to road safety, contributing to fatal and life-threatening crashes across the country.
“Livestock owners are reminded of their legal obligation to keep cattle and other domestic animals away from public roads. Stray cattle continue to contribute to serious and fatal road traffic accidents. Owners who negligently allow animals onto the roads will be held accountable in terms of the law, as they endanger motorists and pedestrians alike,” said Comm-Gen Mutamba.
He also reminded members of the public that all movement of cattle must strictly comply with the law and be supported by valid police stock clearance permits, veterinary clearance certificates and all other relevant documentation.
“Furthermore, the movement of cattle during the night is strictly prohibited,” said Comm-Gen Mutamba.
The police warning comes a week after Nkulumane legislator Cde Freedom Murechu called for the strict enforcement of laws governing stray livestock, saying the increasing presence of cattle on major highways had become a major contributor to fatal road traffic accidents and avoidable loss of life.
Speaking in Parliament, Cde Murechu cited the recent fatal accident along the Bulawayo-Harare Highway in which three Highlanders Football Club executive members — chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman and senior Zimbabwe Republic Police officer Superintendent Sifiso Siziba, treasurer Nkani Khoza — and staunch supporter Ms Mbalenhle Sibanda lost their lives after their vehicle collided with a stray cow.
He said the tragedy underscored the urgent need for authorities to hold negligent livestock owners accountable.
Cde Murechu said while Zimbabwe’s legal framework already places responsibility on livestock owners to prevent their animals from straying onto public roads, weak enforcement had allowed the problem to persist, putting motorists, passengers and pedestrians at risk.
He urged law enforcement agencies, local authorities and veterinary services to work together to ensure compliance with existing legislation and bring errant livestock owners to book.
Cde Murechu said banning night travel was not a practical solution, arguing that authorities should instead focus on enforcing existing laws to prevent livestock from wandering onto roads.
“Night driving is unavoidable; we cannot ban it as a measure to reduce road traffic accidents caused by stray animals. It would be like closing the toilet to stop diarrhoea,” he said.
He said many Zimbabweans, including public transport operators, cross-border traders, emergency service providers and other travellers, depended on night travel, making it imperative to make roads safer rather than restricting movement.
“I urge the law enforcement agencies to rigorously enforce the provisions of legislation on animals and ensure the owner of this cow is liable under common law. The provisions of the law are adequate to ensure that he or she faces the full wrath of the law,” he said.
Cde Murechu also called for the impounding of all stray livestock found on public roads and the prosecution of owners whose negligence results in accidents, saying failure to act decisively would only encourage continued disregard for the law.
“In this case, the law is very clear. All stray animals must be impounded, all owners of stray animals that cause accidents must be arrested and face the full wrath of the law. All people who steal road wires that are fencing our roads must also be arrested,” he said.
He said the theft of roadside fencing had also contributed to livestock gaining easy access to highways, exposing motorists to unnecessary danger.
Cde Murechu said stiff penalties would send a strong message that allowing livestock to roam freely on highways was unlawful and carried severe consequences.
“The penalties must serve as a stark reality that it is unlawful to let animals stray on the roads and cause unnecessary loss of lives,” he said.
