Friday, 04 November 2011
Melmoth in for a pound
Long-suffering farmers and residents have welcomed the news that an animal pound is to be established to serve the Mthonjaneni municipal area.
The municipality, which covers Melmoth and environs, recently called for proposals from interested parties. By the deadline on Monday, one proposal had been received, said Mayor Maureen Ndlangamandla. In terms of the KZN Pound Act No 03 of 2006, each municipal area must have a pound. However, explained the mayor, the cost of establishing one had proved prohibitive in the past.
Officials had not been successful in obtaining funding from provincial authorities, or in entering a joint venture with an existing pound. The nearest pound at present is in eShowe. Starting a pound from scratch could cost in the region of R1-million. The mayor said the proposal received would be studied and a decision made within seven to 10 days. A farmer told of a decade of difficulties and losses as a result of stray cattle invading his fields. He said they had decimated his sugar-cane crop. ‘I normally produce 3 500 tonnes of cane a year; this year, I would be lucky to produce 800.’
Farmers who complain face threats that their farms will be burnt down.
For this reason, he requested that his name not be published.
Another farmer raised the issue of the dangers posed to motorists by cattle on the main roads.
He said he had personally witnessed three accidents in the last few months involving cattle.
The problem is not confined to farming areas.
In the town also some dog owners allow their pets to wander the streets, and there was at least one incident in the past week where a dog entered a neighbour’s yard and attacked a pet.