VOICE ‘A simple solution to a simple problem is all we wish for’

• Don Watt-pringle, Middelburg:

A simple solution to a simple problem is all that many Middelburg residents wish for, but this would seem to be beyond the comprehension of our council.

Every day, without fail, a herd of Boer goats take to the streets of Middelburg, working their way through the town, destroying what little vegetation there might be.

Climbing onto garden walls, standing up on back legs against trees or shrubs to chew off everything within their reach, they are the very symbol of what is now being rumoured to be “Council Capture”.

Why is it taking so long to get a municipal pound going?

What is the municipal council doing to pre- vent these goats (and other stray cattle) from ruining the little vegetation we have left in town? Why can the owners not be identified and charged with negligence, malicious damage to property, the creation of a health hazard in town or the cause of a potential road accident? Or simply, given a hefty fine as a deterrent?

Is it possible that some of these stray animals actually belong to members of the municipality or the council?

Do these members maybe get a kick-back from the stray animal owners for turning a blind eye? Have they in fact been captured? These are some of the only conclusions that one can draw from this total failure to find a simple solution to what is really a simple problem.