Bulawayo councillors are worried about the rampant sand poaching in the city and increased cases of stray livestock in Pumula and Magwegwe suburbs.
BY SILAS NKALA
According to the latest council minutes, Pumula ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo expressed concern that pit sand poaching in her area was going out of hand.
“The area also had a lot of livestock which loitered around in search of water and pastures,” read the minutes.
“She suggested that livestock loitering fines should be suspended during this dry spell as livestock was a source of livelihood for most of the residents in the peri-urban areas of the city.”
The minutes state that deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube, who is aso ward one councillor, said residents should be engaged with regard to pit sand poaching.
“He did not support the suspension of the livestock loitering fines,” read the minutes.
“Alderman Monica Lubimbi and Councillor Mildred Ncube did not support the suspension of livestock loitering fines.
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“Livestock from ward 17 peri-urban area were destroying vegetables in ward 16 and 29.”
It was also stated during the full council meeting that there was sand poaching near Magwegwe Water Reservoir, which was likely to lead to vandalism of council infrastructure.
The councillors supported the enforcement of relevant by-laws with councillor Tinashe Ruzive suggesting that the issue of sand poaching be submitted to the business committee which could establish a sand selling project.
It was, however, revealed during the meeting that council was enforcing relevant by-laws regarding sand poaching.
“There were manpower challenges and a request had been made to employ more rangers,” read the minutes.
“Rangers had transport challenges.
“The only available vehicle they were using was now obsolete while most of the horses did not have shoes.”
A council ranger, Cent Moyo, was recently arrested for allegedly fatally shooting suspected sand poacher, Thulani Dube, at Mazwi Game Reserve.
