THE residents of Jibeng and GaPhasha villages near Burgersfort in Limpopo have expressed their anger over the lack of regulations to control the movement of livestock that have caused fatal accidents along the R37 road between the two villages. This is where late Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage met his untimely death two weeks ago.
Madigage's Mercedes-Benz sedan hit a donkey on October 18 on the R37, which runs between the mining town of Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo.
Stray livestock, including donkeys, roam along the road.
Residents are mostly upset over owners of the stray livestock failing to look after their animals.
A Sowetan team saw two near accidents involving stray animals. Donkeys mating have also become a common sight. There are only a few signs along the road to warn motorists about the animals.
Bernard Mohuba, who has been a taxi driver for the past 21 years in the area, says he lives in fear of the animals.
"No one's safety is guaranteed when you drive on the R37 road between Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo," the 54-year-old said.
"You always heave a sigh of relief when you pass Lebowakgomo heading for Polokwane."
Sowetan also visited a place near the scene of Madigage's accident , where another accident had happened a few nights earlier when a motorist hit a donkey.
"Hardly a weekend passes without an accident involving stray animals ," Mohuba said.
He blamed the authorities for failing to put up enough road signs to warn motorists and of not erecting fences to control the animal's movements.
He said it was disconcerting that - when there are no accidents - the animals had owners, but when it was time to account for accidents no one admits to ownership.
Joseph Phasha of GaPhasha village , who owns donkeys, said he blamed fellow livestock owners for failing to look after their animals.
"What does your conscience say when you do not see your animals arriving home at sunset?" Phasha asked.
"It's high time that owners be held accountable for causing the accidents."
Phasha said they used the donkeys to make a living, they help people fetch things like water, fire wood and building stones and are also used for ploughing.
"I wish the government could establish a computerised system that will help identify owners whose animals have caused accidents on the road," he said.
Jibeng headman Matienyane Moeng said prayers had been held to cleanse the road of accidents but livestock owners were not cooperating.
He added that the whole village was still reeling from shock after the Madigage's death because he was a man they all held in very high esteem.
Local roads and transport department spokesman Joshua Kwapa declined comment, and referred Sowetan to the Limpopo Agriculture Department.
Willie Mosoma, spokesman for the Sekhukhune district municipality, said they were considering to institute by-laws that would make owners liable to pay fines for animals that have been impounded while roaming the deadly road.
- frankm@sowetan.co.za
This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 5 November 2012
Animals are a deadly menace on road
THE residents of Jibeng and GaPhasha villages near Burgersfort in Limpopo have expressed their anger over the lack of regulations to control the movement of livestock that have caused fatal accidents along the R37 road between the two villages. This is where late Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage met his untimely death two weeks ago.
Madigage's Mercedes-Benz sedan hit a donkey on October 18 on the R37, which runs between the mining town of Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo.
Stray livestock, including donkeys, roam along the road.
Residents are mostly upset over owners of the stray livestock failing to look after their animals.
A Sowetan team saw two near accidents involving stray animals. Donkeys mating have also become a common sight. There are only a few signs along the road to warn motorists about the animals.
Bernard Mohuba, who has been a taxi driver for the past 21 years in the area, says he lives in fear of the animals.
"No one's safety is guaranteed when you drive on the R37 road between Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo," the 54-year-old said.
"You always heave a sigh of relief when you pass Lebowakgomo heading for Polokwane."
Sowetan also visited a place near the scene of Madigage's accident , where another accident had happened a few nights earlier when a motorist hit a donkey.
"Hardly a weekend passes without an accident involving stray animals ," Mohuba said.
He blamed the authorities for failing to put up enough road signs to warn motorists and of not erecting fences to control the animal's movements.
He said it was disconcerting that - when there are no accidents - the animals had owners, but when it was time to account for accidents no one admits to ownership.
Joseph Phasha of GaPhasha village , who owns donkeys, said he blamed fellow livestock owners for failing to look after their animals.
"What does your conscience say when you do not see your animals arriving home at sunset?" Phasha asked.
"It's high time that owners be held accountable for causing the accidents."
Phasha said they used the donkeys to make a living, they help people fetch things like water, fire wood and building stones and are also used for ploughing.
"I wish the government could establish a computerised system that will help identify owners whose animals have caused accidents on the road," he said.
Jibeng headman Matienyane Moeng said prayers had been held to cleanse the road of accidents but livestock owners were not cooperating.
He added that the whole village was still reeling from shock after the Madigage's death because he was a man they all held in very high esteem.
Local roads and transport department spokesman Joshua Kwapa declined comment, and referred Sowetan to the Limpopo Agriculture Department.
Willie Mosoma, spokesman for the Sekhukhune district municipality, said they were considering to institute by-laws that would make owners liable to pay fines for animals that have been impounded while roaming the deadly road.
- frankm@sowetan.co.za
This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 5 November 2012