Backyard farming in Wesselton
Several residents within Msukaligwa Municipality have been forced to accept sharing their space with livestock. They are powerless to change the situation, because their complaints about their neighbours keeping livestock in their backyards have not been followed up.
Residents of eMadamini in Thusi Village have on several occasions complained to their ward councillor, submitted reports and complaints from the community about stray animals destroying their gardens and being a nuisance, but it has been in vain.
Owners keeping livestock in their backyards violate local and district municipal by-laws.
Msukaligwa Municipality’s by-laws clearly state that no person may keep farm animals in an enclosure or stable within15 m of any boundary of any land, dwelling, building or any structure used for human habitation, or 50 m of any water resource or water supply intended or used for human consumption.
The by-laws also provide strict requirements for the structures in which these animals are kept. Among others, the walls have to be of a durable material and provision must be made for the hygienic stage and disposal of manure.
The by-laws further state that owners must provide a water supply adequate for drinking and cleaning purposes situated next to or in every enclosure.
A number of residents complain about the noise, smell and the nuisance these animals cause in a residential area. Others complain about the health implications as a result of these animals.
According to a reliable source, the problem is that the by-laws have not been enforced for years. As a result, people have become used to the idea of keeping livestock in their backyards or allowing them to roam at will.
Livestock can often be seen in many parts of Wesselton and in town, where they damage gardens and pose a danger to motorists.
A resident of eMadamini said goats belonging to another resident came into his garden and destroyed all his vegetables. When he confronted the owner about the matter, the owner said he did not send his goats into the garden.
Municipal spokesman Mr Mandla Zwane, responding to the newspaper’s questions about livestock, said the municipal by-laws give the municipality the power to have stray animals impounded and sold, if they are not collected by their owners. He did not address the problem of backyard farming in his response.
One of the livestock owners whose kraal is a distance away from houses said their problem is scarcity of land to keep their animals. He did, however, concede that some of the owners do not ensure that their animals do not stray.
“We would be glad if the municipality could assist us with farming land where we could keep our animals. That would reduce the problems with strays, but some of us need to take full responsibility for our animals,” said the owner.
During the festive season, a goat roaming a section at eMadamini, drowned in a water-filled hole.
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