Gweru City Council has issued a two-week ultimatum to owners of stray domestic animals to remove them from undesignated areas or risk having the animals impounded and auctioned.
In a statement, the council said the move was aimed at protecting public safety and maintaining sanitation in the city.
“The city of Gweru gives 14 days public notice to all residents, stakeholders, and livestock owners within the municipal boundaries of Gweru, particularly those in the western suburbs to remove all stray donkeys, cattle and other livestock currently roaming or residing in undesignated and unpermitted areas,” council said.
“This notice serves to protect public safety, preserve sanitation and maintain order within the city boundaries, in line with the Urban Council’s Act, which empowers the council to control, impound and dispose of stray animals found within municipal limits.
“Accordingly all animal owners are directed to remove their donkeys, cattle and other stray animals from within the city boundaries on or before 20 November 2025.”
The local authority said effective November 20, it would, in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, round up and impound all stray animals within the municipal boundaries.
Council said the animals would be confined at the city of Gweru animal pound at Antelope Park, for a stipulated time period of 90 days before being auctioned to recover maintenance and impoundment costs.
Last year, the Midlands police said animals grazing unattended were to blame for a spike in road accidents along the Gweru-Bulawayo highway.
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Police said the increase in the straying of livestock was attributed to vandalised farm fences and gates that are left open on farms situated along the road.
In 2016, the government in partnership with the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe launched the fencing of the 162km stretch of road between Gweru and Bulawayo in a bid to reduce road accidents caused by stray animals but vandals have destroyed the barrier.
