New Dutywa animal pound may curb accidents

Separate enclosures for different species offered

The Mbhashe municipality on Friday unveiled its new R9m animal pound in Dutywa.

Mayor Samkelo Janda said the municipality found it imperative to launch the project as a means of protecting its citizens and all who travel on the N2 between Mthatha and East London. It is hoped the pound will go a long way towards reducing road accidents that are a result of stray animals.

The section of the N2 cutting through Mbhashe local municipality was regarded as one of the deadliest stretches of road in South Africa, with stray animals being a contributing factor, said Janda.

The structure was compliant with SPCA standards and offered separate enclosures for different species including horses, sheep, goats and cows. There are also areas for animals requiring medical attention.

“The pound will also contribute greatly to the fight against stock theft because now stray animals will have a secure place to be taken to,” said Janda.

He said there was no facility for handling animals in the surrounding municipalities, which means the pound will not only benefit the Mbhashe community but those further afield.

“Although the facility is intended for impounding animals that are astray, trespassing and grazing along the roads, communal farmers will also be able to use it for public sales, competitions and auctions,” he said.

Janda said many temporary jobs had been provided during the construction phase but now that it was operational there was only a small team employed, led by a pound manager.

Dutywa Wool Growers Association chair Nokhaya Ndarhana said the pound would save costs for farmers.

“We buy expensive rams in bulk sometimes, and we often have to hire, at expensive rates, the gates or barricades to keep them safe but now we will be able to use this space, and sometimes when they are impounded there is no place to keep them so we have had to spend money travelling as far as Queenstown to collect our livestock,” said Ndarhana.

It will contribute to the fight against stock theft because now stray animals will have a secure place to be taken to