Stop cattle roaming in U'hage cemetery

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THE article by Mkhululi Ndamase, regarding desecrated graves in the Bay, refers ("Roaming cattle desecrate graves in the Bay", August 15). I respectfully ask that similar problems in Uitenhage are highlighted.

The situation where stray animals in Uitenhage is concerned is getting out of hand. Animals roam all over the suburbs, and are causing serious damage to our cemeteries and also residents' properties.

These neglected animals are so underfed that they carry flies and lice, constituting an obvious health problem. Their presence on roads such as in Kamesh also creates an obvious hazard to traffic.

For the past many months, we have experienced numerous accidents. Further, these are exacerbated by the fact that certain of the same motorists use this road as a speedway!

In the Jubilee Park cemetery, some of the walls that were repaired a few months ago are broken down and I saw the animals were again entering the cemetery through these openings in the walls. It is difficult to believe residents will break down protective walls in what constitutes a heritage area where their families have been buried.

As ward councillor, I report this matter on an almost daily basis to the impounding section, but due the fact that it is based in Port Elizabeth it takes time for staff to reach problems in Uitenhage. When they do arrive, action such as impounding or levying fines on owners seldom happens, even though in busy streets like Cuyler and Caledon, animals are walking without any control.

For this reason, I will be campaigning to have a branch of the impounding section established in the Uitenhage/Despatch area as soon as possible.

At the standing committee on public health, we have brought this matter to the attention of the officials on many occasions, but it has to be said that the matter is getting worse by the day. At the time of writing, the police and traffic departments have done nothing to assist.

I appeal to farmers to take control of their animals, and also that the impounding unit should step in immediately to make daily rounds here in Uitenhage and take control, using police and the traffic department to assist.