Roaming cattle cause for concern in Lions Grove and Marburg
The animals pose a danger to drivers, damage property and concerns have been raised about disease transmission.
Residents of Marburg and Lions Grove are concerned about cattle which are left to roam and graze freely. In the last four to five years, the area has become a pasture for herds of cows and goats from Bhobhoyi and Jesus Location.
Herd numbers range from about 10 to 50 and are usually owned cattle, that are now grazing on verges, open grasslands and often wandering into traffic. They pose a danger to drivers, damage property and concerns have been raised about disease transmission.
Now, residents have had enough and call on authorities to act.
Lions Grove resident Morgan Naidoo said the cattle are left unsupervised for days. “They tend to defecate on the road and at times sleep at driveway gates and on the road. This matter was addressed with councillors and chiefs to no avail. The Umbango River Conservancy even sent a letter to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and disaster management. To date, absolutely nothing has been done.”
Nivo Govender of Marburg shared similar sentiments. “We are aware that KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the foot and mouth disease, and these cattle may pose a threat to us in terms of the spread of the disease. Also, my concern is that the cattle on the roads almost everyday will cause an accident. We appeal to the authorities to assist in removing them to safer pastures.”
Marburg Community Policing Forum’s chairperson Fathima Moosa said several attempts to contact the relevant departments have fallen on deaf ears. “The cattle are often seen on Sastri Road, Indira Road, Dairy Road, Oscar Borchers Road, Venus Road, Wimpy Homes and the N2 towards Bhobhoyi. Residents are fed up and unsure of what steps to take next.”
The Lower South Coast SPCA calls on livestock owners to urgently secure their stray cattle.
Inspector Mike Davis, manager of the LSC SPCA said several cattle found wandering on Sastri Road was recently impounded. “The owner came forward to claim them and was formally educated on responsible livestock management, including the legal requirements to keep animals safely enclosed. The owner was charged the appropriate large pound release fees for his animals as well as transport costs.”
Davis reminded the public that allowing animals to roam freely on public roads is a violation of municipal by-laws. “These by-laws are actively enforced by Law Enforcement and repeated non-compliance may result in fines, impoundment fees, or further action.”
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality was contacted for comment, but none was received at the time of going to press.
For any animal by-law related issues contact Law Enforcement on 039 6825555.
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