Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
The programme started along the Bulawayo-Gweru Highway where perimeter fencing is going up, and will be rolled out countrywide.Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has embarked on a project to fence off the country’s highways as part of measures to reduce carnage caused by stray animals.
The programme started along the Bulawayo-Gweru Highway where perimeter fencing is going up, and will be rolled out countrywide.
Speaking during the launch, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri said the project aims to save lives along the country’s roads.
“The thrust was to avoid livestock from roaming around the highways disturbing the smooth flow of traffic and ultimately causing road crashes. However, it is very disheartening to note that as we speak most of this fence has been vandalised defeating the purpose for which it was placed for. The fence was put in place with the farmer in mind so that he/she does not continue losing his cattle, it was also put in place with the intention of saving lives of those that use our roads.
“When the Government initiates and does something in our communities, it is the duty of the surrounding communities to protect, safeguard and preserve such properties.”
Prof Jiri acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development to curb road carnage caused by stray animals.
“Road safety is a critical concern in agriculture, and Zimbabwe as a whole, considering that Zimbabwe is a cattle farming country. Even though the behaviour of animals might be unpredictable sometimes, it is very much safer to be found on the preventative side, preventing the loss of livestock and loss of human lives for economic growth of our nation.
“Therefore, it is required that farmers and livestock owners adequately protect road users by looking after their livestock and highway fences and gates.”
This year, the livestock hazard awareness campaign is running under the theme “Pen Livestock to Save Lives”.
Prof Jiri added, “It is indeed important for us to pen our livestock especially at night to avoid having them roaming around highways causing injury, death and property damage.
“I would also want to encourage farmers to create fenced paddocks as they act as barriers in the event that livestock may escape, especially at night.”
He said a few years ago, they engaged in a cattle tagging exercise in which most farmers took part.
He said this was a great initiative as it promoted visibility of livestock especially at night.
“Further to that, we also witnessed a project by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe of placing fences on most of our highways. The thrust was to avoid livestock from roaming around the highways disturbing the smooth flow of traffic and ultimately causing road crashes.
“However, it is very disheartening to note that as we speak most of this fence has been vandalised defeating the purpose in which it was placed.
“The fence was put in place with the farmer in mind so that he/she does not continue losing his cattle, it was also put in place with the intention of saving lives of those that use our roads.
“When the Government initiates and does something in our communities, it is the duty of the surrounding communities to protect, safeguard and preserve such properties.”
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa urged the public not to vandalise the fences being put on the highways.
He said farmers should also ensure that their livestock are properly secured at all times.
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