THE Bulawayo City Council has reportedly resolved to drive out goat sellers in Kelvin Industrial areas this month following complaints of selling uninspected meat as well as cruelty to animals.
The local authority says according to the by-laws, the goats are classified as stray animals.
BCC Senior Public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the move to engage goat sellers follows complaints from residents.
“The City of Bulawayo has been receiving numerous complaints from individuals and organisations on goats roaming around the city. On the health aspect, the complaints have been on the selling of uninspected meat to the public which is also an offence,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said they (goat sellers) were also accused of cruelty to animals as confining them and starving them of food and water is an offence as well as human and animal conflict.
“Because of the above reasons and by-laws goats roaming around the city are classified as stray animals. Council is working on a mechanism to accommodate all stakeholders and goat keepers inclusive to a better alternative place,” she said.
“Council is in dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders that include ZRP, Veterinary Services, SPCA, Agritex (LPD) Council Health Inspectorate, with a view of addressing all the necessary challenges associated with this matter and coming up with an acceptable solution to all the affected parties. Further directions will be given once the matter has been concluded.”
A source from BCC said council rangers had made a resolution to drive out the goat sellers as from January 9 and was also mooting setting up feedlots for the goat sellers.
“There mustn’t be any goats by January 9, any goats found there would be raided and confiscated by council and taken to Aisleby Farm before they are auctioned,” said the official.
The official said the decision comes as a disease prevention and control measure to both humans and animals as in most cases the goats are not inspected before slaughter.
“Some people are even slaughtering the goats there and it’s illegal. No one inspects that meat. Before the animals are slaughtered, the animals health officer inspector has to inspect it to check if it is not infected by any disease then it goes to the slaughter then comes to the meat inspector who checks if the meat is suitable for human consumption then its stamped then it goes to the butcher.
If there is a disease outbreak in that area and people just buy that meat it also affects people. That’s what we are trying to control,” said the official.
The official said they were working on tightening laws as the goat sellers falsely supply information to the police and veterinary officials when moving the goats to Bulawayo.
State Media