COMMUNAL cattle producers in Chivi district have branded their livestock with reflective tags to save them from being run over by motorists when the beasts stray onto the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway, particularly at night.
by Everson Mushava
The reflective tags help motorists easily spot the cattle from a long distance and apply precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
The programme was introduced by Chivi Rural District Council chairperson, Killer Zivhu early this year.
Addressing hundreds of people at the launch of the Chivi village ZimAsset programme in Ngundu on Saturday, Zivhu said the tags had led to a significant drop in road accidents involving livestock.
“Chivi council is concerned with the unnecessary loss of lives due to accidents along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway,” he said.
“On the other hand, villagers are losing a lot of their livestock, which is their only source of livelihood. “We are saving both human lives and livestock by introducing these reflectors.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Zivhu said they were targeting at least 5 000 cattle and donkeys belonging to villagers living close to the highway.
“Motorists find it difficult to spot cattle at night. The reflectors will go a long way in helping people to easily spot livestock from a distance,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister, Shuvai Mahofa said stray animals had become a major hazard on the country’s highways.
Mahofa commended Zivhu and Chivi Rural District Council for being innovative and urged other local authorities to introduce similar programmes.
Several senior government officials, MPs and members of the Zanu PF Masvingo provincial executive attended the function.
