Seshego residents on the fence about livestock roaming the area

POLOKWANE – Residents and livestock farmers in the Seshego area were recently notified that the Polokwane Municipality, together with the SPCA, would impound animals that are found roaming free in the streets. 

Harry Rametse, a resident of Seshego Zone 4 was arrested after trying to stop officials from taking his cattle. He and his wife, Veronica, own livestock (10 cows, 35 goats, five sheep, 40 pigs and 200 chickens) which has led to residents complaining about their animals in their yards.

The Rametse’s claim the municipality has been promising them land, where the animals will be housed, for over three years now but haven’t received it yet and has led to the animals roaming free. 

At the time of his arrest, several of their goats were collected by the SPCA as a resident in the area complained of trespassing. The situation was handled by the SPCA, the police’s stock theft unit, the municipality as well as the ward councillor for the area which ultimately led to Harry’s arrest on 27 October for not complying with the law.

BONUS asked Zone 4 residents whether they have been bothered by roaming livestock and their general thoughts on the matter:

One resident says she doesn’t understand how the family can keep that many animals in the park, adding that it is a place of leisure where one goes with the intention of not being disturbed. “I think it would be easier for them to relocate to a village where the animals will be able to graze and roam around freely without people complaining about them.” 

Another resident said the animals are fine within the park, but once they start roaming the streets, they disturb motorists and some animals even make their way into people’s yards, which causes a lot of tension and fights among the owners and their neighbours. “As much as most of us in the community are aware that this is a business to sustain their family, the animals are still in our way of driving and relaxing by the park and this has been going on for many years.”

Lethabo Mamabolo told BONUS that she thinks it’s unfair for the community to complain about the livestock in the park and the streets because just like any other home, the family’s trying to make a living out of the livestock. “I personally think it’s not their fault that the municipality refused to give then land after so many years because we even saw them on TV once, talking about how the municipality promised them land.”

A resident who wished to remain anonymous said even though animals are most likely to be or should be in the rural areas or in the villages, he thinks the family deserves to be given a break and a chance to be given land. “Instead of the police, stock theft, SPCA and the municipality giving them warnings, why can’t they assist them in finding land that is big enough to house all their animals so that they can also live in peace. The whole community was watching when the man of the house was arrested and it wasn’t fair at all. Everyone wants to make a living out of something and this is their way of putting bread on the table. So let them be and give them land.”

Nthabiseng Moloto concluded by saying she doesn’t have a problem with the animals walking around because residents are used to them by now. “I don’t understand how can people get angry because of animals roaming around. If someone was in their situation, they would understand that the family is only trying to make a living out of the livestock and some people have the guts to complain about it. I think it’s selfish,” she said. 

Read Rametse’s full story in this week’s Bonus.  

anne@nmgroup.co.za