THE State has auctioned 1,115 head of cattle seized for entering the country in contravention to the laws of the land.
The event, conducted by Meripalento
Brokers at Mgagao, saw cattle said to have originated from Laitoktok,
Kajiado County, in Kenya being auctioned. The sale took place after the
government sought an order to that effect from the court. A crackdown
against cattle that enter the country illegally was ordered by the
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Luhaga Mpina, recently.
Animal Disease Act No 17 of 2003 that
was assented to by President Benjamin Mkapa on January 30, 2004 makes
provision for control and prevention of animal diseases, monitoring and
for other related matters.
It restricts any person to move an
animal on foot or by use of a vehicle outside the area of jurisdiction
without a permit, or move an animal or animal products or animal wastes
from outside the country or introduce animals into any area without a
permit.
About 4,000 cattle entered the country
but the rest were taken out mysteriously after owners became aware of
the operation that was conducted by the ministry and assisted by an
airplane from the Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa).
In another operation, about 2,000 cattle
have been seized and an order is awaited on their fate. This Monday,
another operation starts countrywide against cattle that have penetrated
the country’s borders against the law.
Mwanga District Court issued a permit
for auctioning the animals after it satisfied itself that the cattle
entered the country unlawfully. Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC),
Ms Anna Mghwira said the cattle that stayed in the country for about a
month were auctioned after all procedures were completed.
The RC, who earlier on expressed
concerns that Mwanga District authorities did not offer enough
cooperation in the beginning, said the number of cattle seized was 1,115
and not 1,325 as earlier announced, adding that there were calculation
errors. She said money earned from the sale enters the government’s
coffers while district council would get its tax as stipulated by the
law.
Ms Mghwira said the seizure,
nationalisation and auctioning of the cattle was done as a strong signal
to foreign herders to respect and adhere to Tanzanian laws. She said
that even under the East African Community (EAC)partnership, it is not
allowed for herds of cattle to cross from one country to another.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry
of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Maria Mashingo, said seizure of the
cattle would be sustainable whenever they enter the country illegally,
pledging that the exercise is being executed without fear or favour.
She saw taking out cattle from wildlife
areas of Kagera Region such as Burigi and Biharamulo while the upcoming
operation will target Songwe, Rukwa, Katavi, Tanga and Arusha regions.
She warned citizens that they should
not, for any reason, welcome herders from other countries to bring their
cattle as that amounts to economic sabotage.
Winding up his Kilimanjaro tour late
Tuesday, Minister Mpina said that the grace period given to owners of
cattle was drawing closer and that come October 23, respective regional
authorities should seize cattle, keep them and take legal action against
perpetrators.
Mr Mpina, who moved to the livestock and
fisheries portfolio from Vice President’s Office (Environment) in the
recent cabinet reshuffle, warned that the government was on course to
initiate a second 15-day operation from Monday to ensure that all cattle
from neighbouring countries are seized.
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