Essentially, laws are there to enforce – not merely define or describe – principles of right and wrong.
This is as true of the local municipal bylaws as it is of the Constitution.
Unless laws which are in place are acted on, they serve no purpose and may just as well be abolished.
The current issue of cattle roaming in streets, suburbs and even the industrial area, refers.
There are a number of stakeholders who urgently need some positive response to the situation.
Residents whose properties are being invaded by unattended cattle are ratepayers and deserve to be protected.
Not only are they being subjected to health risks, from the extreme of the recent foot-and-mouth scare to the obvious matter of cow droppings, there is also the loss of plants and vegetables.
Children living at these homes are potentially liable to be gored by an angry or frightened beast, as are pets.
Drivers of vehicles are also at risk of connecting with a stray animal, which is even more relevant when one sees cattle across high-speed roads such as the John Ross Parkway at Alton, and towards Mondi.
And let’s not forget that the owner of the cattle also has much to lose, either through an accident or encounter with a dog or even an irate homeowner or driver taking the law into his or her own hands.
For the benefit of all, meetings must urgently be set up between the owners and the affected parties before we end up with outcomes nobody wants.
It is the duty of the council (or the tribal authority if applicable) to enforce laws that are there to protect good neighbourliness, safety and health.
The same applies to other matters such as illegal water usage, electricity theft, street mechanics, use of disabled parking bays, jumping of red robots, prohibited fireworks. noise pollution and a host of other offences where the bylaws should be enforced without fear or favour.
