Nkulumane MP Freedom Murechu has called for stricter enforcement of laws against owners of stray livestock and people who vandalise roadside fencing following last week’s crash that killed three Highlanders Football Club executives and a female supporter.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday on a point of national interest, Murechu said the crash on the Bulawayo-Harare Highway highlighted the need to hold livestock owners accountable when their animals stray onto roads and cause fatal accidents.
The crash claimed the lives of Highlanders chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, vice-chairman Sifiso Siziba, executive committee member for finance Nkani Khoza and club supporter Mbalenhle Sibanda, who were returning from the team’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against ZPC Kariba.
Murechu described the accident as a tragedy, saying preliminary reports indicated it had been caused by a stray cow and could have been prevented.
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“Horrifying to unprecedented levels is the fact that the accident was caused by a stray cow, something which could have easily been avoided had the owner of the beast taken care of his own animal before it ventured onto the road, abruptly ending the lives of our dear people,” he said.
He said banning night-time travel was not a practical solution, arguing that authorities should instead enforce existing laws to stop livestock from roaming onto major highways.
“Night driving is unavoidable, we cannot ban it as a measure to reduce road traffic accidents by stray animals. It would be more like closing the toilet to stop diarrhoea,” he said.
Murechu urged law enforcement agencies to rigorously enforce legislation governing stray livestock and prosecute owners whose animals cause road accidents.
“The provisions of the law are adequate to ensure that he or she faces the full wrath of the law. In this case, the law is very clear: all stray animals must be impounded; all owners of stray animals that cause accidents must be arrested and face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
He also called for tougher action against people who steal roadside fencing, arguing that vandalism had enabled livestock to access highways.
“All people who steal road wires that are fencing our roads must be arrested. The penalties must serve as a stark reality that it is unlawful to let animals stray on the roads and cause unnecessary loss of lives,” Murechu said.
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