Roaming cattle trouble Gamalakhe residents
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality says people should report stray cattle, specifically in urban and semi-urban areas, including in townships to RNM Law Enforcement.
Stray cattle roaming on people’s properties is an ongoing problem in Gamalakhe.
Recently, a resident who did not want to be named said a herd of cattle entered her property and took clothes off the washing line.
She said this was worrying because she did not know who the cattle belonged to, so she could not report this to the owner.
“It is frustrating because I had to do the laundry again. What if that was the last bit of washing powder I had? It is concerning because this is ongoing,” she said.
Another resident, Mdumiseni Kheswa, said unsupervised cattle in Gamalakhe is a big problem.
He explained that every week, he has to chase them away.
“They have not only destroyed my garden, but they have also damaged my property. They left marks on my walls that are hard to get rid of,” said Kheswa.
He recalled an incident where a taxi had crashed into a cow in the area a few years ago, saying that the taxi was written off and the cow died.
Kheswa said what makes things challenging is that they do not know who to report this to.
Speaking to Fever, Mike Davis of the Lower South Coast SPCA said unsupervised cattle in residential areas directly contravene municipal by-laws.
He advised residents to report it to Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s (RNM) Law Enforcement, who will fine the owners of the cattle.
“Alternatively, people can contact us, we will impound the animals, and the owners will have to pay a release fee,” he said.
Meanwhile, RNM spokesperson Simon April said the advice of the SPCA was correct.
“People should report stray cattle, specifically in urban and semi-urban areas, including in townships, to RNM Law Enforcement,” said April.
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