Departmental Workshop on Safe and Legal Transportation of Livestock
The Department of Community Safety and Transport Management hosted a workshop on the safety and legal transportation of livestock to address pertinent issues surrounding livestock transportation and its legalities, as well as measures to curb crimes surrounding livestock theft.
The department also used the workshop as a platform to give a mandate to Road Traffic Law Enforcement officers, whom Chaplain Reetseng described as “leaders of the ground”, who should always have their boots strapped with integrity.
“You should never be entangled in bribery incidents which are anti-departmental, because you have been entrusted with the authority of ensuring compliance on the road”, said Chaplain Reetseng.
Councillor Khathaza, responsible for Ward 32 also reaffirmed the departmental mandate towards the Road Traffic Law Enforcement Officers, requesting that they should continue being visible and protecting the community.
“The presence and visibility of traffic officials brings added protection to our communities and its people. I am therefore pleading with you to continue your line of work in service with diligence”, said Councillor Khathaza.
The workshop further provided insight and brought knowledge to the traffic officials, to whom, Mr. Aubrey Titi, deputy director of the Crime Prevention and Partnerships sub-directorate, outlined distinct issues relating to safety and legal transportation of livestock.
“The common factor that we experience as the department is stock-theft. We should therefore be equipped and knowledgeable on various factors which cause this, such as being uninformed on how livestock should be marked for authenticity — reiterating the importance of hosting these workshops”, said Mr. Titi.
Warrant Officer Kgakgane, from the SAPS Stock-theft Unit, outlined legislative compliance factors surrounding livestock and their transportation, he highlighted that farmers should operate within the legislative framework attached livestock to ownership and transport.
“Farmers and livestock owners should always hold three documents to justify the ownership of livestock, which include a brown mark certificate from the Department of Agriculture, a section 6 and section 8 document of ownership. This makes it easier to identify whether or not livestock might have been stolen. I therefore urge all officials to be cognisant of these legal documents ”, said Warrant Officer Kgakgane.
Although there are legislative frameworks and policies that govern transportation of livestock, it requires collaborative efforts from the department and its key stakeholders, and the community.
Ms. Florence Nchoe, director for Crime Prevention and Partnerships reiterated that the department and the community must work together collectively to ensure that there is compliance with the laws surrounding livestock ownership and itstransportation.
Kgosi Molema, representing Barolong Boo Rra Tshidi, made a commitment that the community will work jointly with the department to ensure that there is indeed compliance.
“We will through our internal processes and systems, also play our part as we have been doing to legislate the ownership of livestock and combat theft. We remain committed to working with the department and urge you to contact us should there be issues with our community members”, said Kgosi Molema.
The collaboration between the department and the community towards mitigating stock theft and illegal transportation of livestock, will be beneficial for the province towards curbing highs rate of stock theft.
