Grahamstown livestock owners gathered at BB Zondani community hall last week to discuss traffic by-laws regarding livestock and national legislation for donkey cart transportation in the area.
Grahamstown livestock owners gathered at BB Zondani community hall last week to discuss traffic by-laws regarding livestock and national legislation for donkey cart transportation in the area.
This follows after a stray donkey caused an accident two weeks ago. Traffic officer, Denzel Rooi, said accidents like these are caused by people who owned many donkeys and do not not look after them well. Rooi said, "Statistics have shown that most accidents of this nature were caused by stray animals. "In April there was an accident that involved a minibus taxi and a car that was caused by a donkey cart at around eight in the evening," he added.
Makana Ndlambe Donkey Equine and Livestock Association (MaNDELA) chairperson, Annerie Wolmarans said they have lost five donkeys in two months and some of these accidents were caused by intoxicated drivers. Rooi encouraged stock owners to work hand in hand with the SAPS, Traffic department and the municipality to maintain controllable numbers of their livestock. "People should also register their stock with the SAPS and brand them," said Rooi. He also urged stock owners to consider motorists and avoid the CBD from 4pm onwards as this is a peak traffic period. According to the National Road Traffic Act 93 (1996), animal drawn vehicles such as donkey carts are not allowed on the road at night unless they are properly lit and the harness and other equipment are in sound working condition.
Michael Sumani, a donkey cart driver said he is visiting Grahamstown on holiday and had been hired to transport people from Redwood Spur steak ranch at night.
Wolmarans said she was aware of this and promised to talk to Eugene Repinz from Redwood Spur restaurant to organise proper reflective lights for his cart. Rooi said donkey cart drivers must always have their identity documents with them while travelling with their carts as this then serves the same purpose as a driver’s license.
Reading from the provincial Gazette Extraordinary, 2 January 2007, Rooi said no owner may allow or cause any animal to graze or stray about any street or public place. He continued to say owners of animals may not allow their animals to interfere with the comfort of others. One donkey cart driver suggested that the municipality should provide animals with a proper and safe place to be kept.
Commonage technician, Sixolile Geza, said the municipality could only do so when they have a fixed number of animals and that is why it is essential that people brand their animals. Stray animal task team member, Xolile Jezile, said that the problems have been heard and will forward suggestions to the municipality and the minister of land affairs.
