In an effort to curb the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) for the beef industry, Francistown City Council has demolished 13 illegal cattle kraals in the city’s residential areas.
More illegal kraals owners in Ntshe and Monarch have since been served with eviction letters by the local authority pending the demolition of these structures.
Addressing the Full Council this Monday, Acting Town Clerk, Pedzani Selwana- Mahama said the tearing down of the illegal kraals in the city, was a resolution made during the last full council. She said this is meant to control straying cattle and livestock in the city and also to curb cases of stock theft.
“We have issued letters of reminder to all illegal kraal owners to vacate the plots where they are keeping the livestock. Council has given them seven working days to leave and demolish the kraals and poultry runs,” said the Acting Town Clerk.
In her update, so far, 13 of the illegal kraals had been destroyed in Woodlands.
“Failure to comply with the order, a forced eviction will follow on these illegal kraal owners who resist the charges. Livestock will be impounded and sold by public auction if not claimed within 21 days,” continued Selwana-Mahama.
Councillor Eric Mabengano decried that the illegal kraals were sprawling and on the rise in his area. “I do not know where the Town Clerk and her officers have evicted these kraals. In my area of Ntshe and Monarch, the kraals are increasing under our watch. A few days ago, I learnt that there is a group known as Gazi which is causing havoc”, elaborated Mabengano.
The Botswana Democratic Party Councillor accused council for dragging its feet which consequently results into the increase of these illegal kraals. “The owners of these kraals are known, some are police officers, soldiers, civil servants working in this city. So, it shouldn’t be a problem to contact them. Council is hiding behind a finger,” he claimed.
However, the Acting Town Clerk assured agitated Councillor Mabengano that the demolitions will be in full swing soon.
“The operation is still on and we have not yet covered the entire city. Ntshe is next on the list of our operation. Letters of eviction were issued a few days ago honourable Councillor Mabengano”, she responded.
In the last raid, which was carried out in July last year, Council officials found cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys and poultry being reared in Ntshe and Monarch. Most of the kraals were being manned by illegal immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe.
The four-day operation resulted in 37 illegal kraals and make shifts poultry pans being destroyed.
