MANDLANZINI community members, angered by the recent shooting of three cows in their area, have taken extreme measures to protect their livestock.
They organised a meeting on Wednesday to address the matter with City of uMhlathuze officials and said they will no longer permit the riding of motorbikes or quad bikes in the forests.
When city officials arrived, residents refused to engage with them on the matter and demanded a meeting with the mayor to address their concerns.
Two weeks ago unknown suspects on a motorcycle opened fire on a herd of cattle grazing in the forest near Mandlazini, killing three animals.
Tensions ran high as residents expressed their concerns over the safety of their cattle and losses they suffered resulting from the shooting.
They reiterated that they would not allow riders to use the forest for recreational outings as they fear for their livestock and herdsmen.
Outrage
Community members took to social media to vent their frustration over the senseless killings.
• Andre Harris – ‘I agree with you, many of us do biking through the rural areas and have good relations with communities there. By this act they are spoiling relations for all of us. The rural area is their area and even if the cows are on a dirt road, respect their area. On a main tar main I feel different on the matter. Those bikers must go and repay the owner.’
• Yda Vermaak – ‘Often we are in the trust lands and are received well by the people that live there. This senseless act greatly angers me and I hope the perpetrators are caught and punished properly.’
• Meryl Riggen – ‘That is so cruel, hope they catch the guys.’
• Tina van Winkel – ‘That’s very cruel, the animals are innocent and didn’t do you any harm!’
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