Lawmakers have raised alarm over a growing number of stray cattle along the Bulawayo–Harare Road, warning that the animals pose a serious threat to motorists despite the installation of protective fencing along the highway.
The issue was brought before Parliament after a surge in reports of livestock wandering onto the road, particularly between Bulawayo and Shangani, a stretch where government-funded fencing was meant to prevent such incidents.
MP Farai Mapfumo questioned why cattle continued to roam freely despite the infrastructure in place. “There is a very good fence which was put up, I am sure in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, but you still find that there is a lot of cattle on the road, endangering the lives of citizens,” he said. “We saw this coming from our budget in previous years; it has been like that.”
MP Caston Matewu called for stronger enforcement, criticising what he described as a soft approach towards livestock owners. “We have lost countless lives due to cattle that are on the roads, not just the Bulawayo-Harare Road, but across the country,” he said.
He proposed that police be empowered to confiscate livestock found on highways. “If we have deterrent measures to ensure that people do not leave their cattle, it will also cost them money. What is the policy of ensuring that at least the police can come and confiscate any cow that is found on the road? That will make the farmers take this matter seriously.”
Kwekwe Proportional Representation MP Perseverance Zhou questioned whether local authorities were doing enough to enforce livestock control, especially in unfenced areas or where animals wander into growth points and towns. She recounted seeing numerous cattle near a cement manufacturing company and scotch carts entering Kwekwe. “What does the law say when we have livestock and even scotch carts at growth points, especially in towns?” she asked.
Responding, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr Anxious Masuka said the responsibility ultimately lies with farmers. “What I can urge farmers to do is to ensure that the cattle do not stray onto the roads, and that is a standing policy,” he said.
Dr Masuka added that farmers are liable for accidents caused by their livestock. He said fencing along routes such as Bulawayo to Esigodini was frequently damaged and needed continual repair, while farmers needed more awareness and education on penning their animals.
He also urged local authorities to enforce by-laws more rigorously. “Local authorities ought to put by-laws that have to deal with livestock and others,” he said, citing recent Kwekwe Municipality regulations restricting donkeys and other animals within urban areas.
Dr Masuka said persistent herding near Kwekwe, visible to motorists at weekends, highlighted the need for councils and relevant ministries to work together. “I just urge local authorities and the relevant ministry to assist us so that we can contain this menace,” he said.
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