Donkey problems at Okahao
Free-roaming livestock has been named as one of biggest challenges the town of Okahao in the Omusati Region is currently faced with, especially donkeys from nearby villages.
This is a problem that many local authorities all across the country confront, where livestock are left to roam freely in townlands for grazing.
During a visit to the impounding facility Namibian Sun was informed by council officials that some of the donkeys have been unclaimed for about four months. This, they said, has become a costly exercise even though the livestock owners are expected to pay up upon collection.
Talking to Okahao's mayor, Immanuel Amutenya, he described the situation as a headache and said the matter is worsened by the fact that some livestock such as the donkeys, do not have tags or burn marks making it almost impossible for council to trace the owners.
Apart from the identification challenge, Amutenya also pointed out that some farmers refuse to pay the impounding services fee when collecting their livestock.
“When they come, especially the older generation, and they want their livestock to be released and they will tell you they have been in Okahao before your existence and therefore, why should they pay us anything,” Amutenya said.
He further said it becomes more problematic and confrontational when an animal dies while impounded. This, he added, was not due to lack of fodder.
“Some of the animals, such as the donkeys that are used to eating from sunrise to sunrise do not cope in the impounding facility. As for the other livestock, such as the cattle and goats, they can succumb to sicknesses they might have had before they were impounded,” Amutenya explained.
He pointed out that some of the unclaimed livestock may have been born in the veld and this could be one of the reasons why they are not marked.
“In the past people used to plough with donkeys but this is not common anymore as most farmers make use of tractors. So, now the donkeys are left to roam about and they breed and the owners are not aware of it,” he said.
Amutenya said during the rainy season a number of complaints by angry home- and business owners were lodged at the council due to havoc caused by the roaming livestock in the town.
“You see, during the rainy season, the movement of livestock is limited and they will feed where they can see food. This sees plants at houses being destroyed and people just come to council to complain.
“As for businesses, animals such as goats during the rainy season will just storm into a store or rest under shade netting which does not sit well with the owners of businesses and shopping complexes who have to clean up the following day and make sure the scent of the livestock is gone,” Amutenya said.
Amutenya said as long as this challenge remains it will have a negative impact on the development of the town as investors will not be motivated to invest in the town.
He therefore called on residents to return to the days when looked after their livestock and not leave them to roam around. He also said if residents find their animals missing they should visit the impounding facility.
KENYA KAMBOWE
This is a problem that many local authorities all across the country confront, where livestock are left to roam freely in townlands for grazing.
During a visit to the impounding facility Namibian Sun was informed by council officials that some of the donkeys have been unclaimed for about four months. This, they said, has become a costly exercise even though the livestock owners are expected to pay up upon collection.
Talking to Okahao's mayor, Immanuel Amutenya, he described the situation as a headache and said the matter is worsened by the fact that some livestock such as the donkeys, do not have tags or burn marks making it almost impossible for council to trace the owners.
Apart from the identification challenge, Amutenya also pointed out that some farmers refuse to pay the impounding services fee when collecting their livestock.
“When they come, especially the older generation, and they want their livestock to be released and they will tell you they have been in Okahao before your existence and therefore, why should they pay us anything,” Amutenya said.
He further said it becomes more problematic and confrontational when an animal dies while impounded. This, he added, was not due to lack of fodder.
“Some of the animals, such as the donkeys that are used to eating from sunrise to sunrise do not cope in the impounding facility. As for the other livestock, such as the cattle and goats, they can succumb to sicknesses they might have had before they were impounded,” Amutenya explained.
He pointed out that some of the unclaimed livestock may have been born in the veld and this could be one of the reasons why they are not marked.
“In the past people used to plough with donkeys but this is not common anymore as most farmers make use of tractors. So, now the donkeys are left to roam about and they breed and the owners are not aware of it,” he said.
Amutenya said during the rainy season a number of complaints by angry home- and business owners were lodged at the council due to havoc caused by the roaming livestock in the town.
“You see, during the rainy season, the movement of livestock is limited and they will feed where they can see food. This sees plants at houses being destroyed and people just come to council to complain.
“As for businesses, animals such as goats during the rainy season will just storm into a store or rest under shade netting which does not sit well with the owners of businesses and shopping complexes who have to clean up the following day and make sure the scent of the livestock is gone,” Amutenya said.
Amutenya said as long as this challenge remains it will have a negative impact on the development of the town as investors will not be motivated to invest in the town.
He therefore called on residents to return to the days when looked after their livestock and not leave them to roam around. He also said if residents find their animals missing they should visit the impounding facility.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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