The Setsoto Local Municipality finally appointed an animal control officer at the end of July this year after a lengthy and challenging process, says Riëtte Dell, DA councillor of the municipality.
By Vida Booysen, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The previous contract had to be terminated due to non-compliance, and the tender was re-advertised more than once to ensure that a competent service provider would be appointed.
The role of an animal control officer is anything but simple. There are strict requirements for transport and facilities, as well as compliance with SPCA standards, and handling risks such as infectious diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease.
In Ficksburg, the old pound has been declared unfit for use, and therefore Clocolan’s pound will now serve both Ficksburg and its own area. Similarly, Marquard and Senekal will share facilities.
“Each town has its own set of problems – Ficksburg and Clocolan, for example, also have to deal with animals crossing the international border from Lesotho,” says Dell.
Like other officials with whom African Farming spoke, she highlights that outdated ordinances remain a significant obstacle. The 2008 Ordinance, which sets regulations for keeping animals, poultry and bees, grants certain powers for confiscation; however, there are still gaps.
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Effective implementation relies on cooperation between traffic officers, the police, and the courts. If even one link in this chain breaks, it becomes nearly impossible to stop illegal grazing in our towns.
According to Dell, introductory meetings were held in July this year in all four towns (Ficksburg, Clocolan, Marquard, and Senekal) alongside the new animal control officer. “It has since become clear that better grazing management is essential – including clear guidelines on how many animals per hectare can be kept by emerging farmers and improved contract management by the municipality on municipal land leased to emerging farmers. This way, we can prevent farmers from having to graze their livestock along road reserves out of desperation.”
The appointment of an animal control officer was also a crucial measure to enhance road safety, safeguard property, and combat illegal grazing.
Dell says it quickly became clear afterwards that successful compliance is only achievable if everyone – officials, farmers, livestock owners and communities – collaborate. “There is resistance and even threats because everyone could previously just do as they pleased. Now it affects people’s income.”
Yet the risks of inaction are simply too great: accidents on roads, losses for farmers, and the danger of uncontrolled disease outbreaks. “We are monitoring the progress of the process to see what we can do to ensure that proper control can be applied again. However, it will not happen overnight and requires dedication from many stakeholders to make it work.”
