Mutoko Rural District Council (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2023 (S.I. 236 of 2023)

S.I. 236 of 2023 1561 Statutory Instrument 236 of 2023. [CAP. 29:13 Mutoko Rural District Council (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2023 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 1. Title. 2. Application. 3. Interpretation. 4. Control of livestock marketing and movement. 5. Movement of livestock. 6. Stray stock. 7. Offences and penalties. IT is hereby notified that the Minister responsible for Local Government and Public Works has, in terms of section 90 of the Rural District Council Act [Chapter 29:13], made the following by-laws:— Title 1. These by-laws may be cited as Mutoko Rural District Council (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2023. Application 2. These by-laws shall apply within the council area. Interpretation 3. In these by-laws— “council” means Mutoko Rural District Council; “levy” means any charge imposed by council in terms of section 95 of Rural District Councils Act [Chapter 29:13]; “livestock” means domesticated animals which include large stock and small stock; “large stock” means cattle, horses, donkeys, mules and any animals or birds; 1562 Mutoko Rural District Council (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2023 “small stock” means goats, sheep and pigs and any animals or birds; “owner” in relation to livestock, means the person who has lawful custody or control of the livestock; “private livestock buyer” means any person who is buying livestock outside the publicly organised livestock sales. Control of livestock marketing and movement 4. (1) No person shall buy or sell livestock for commercial purposes— (a) without a permit from council; or (b) except at a livestock sale organised by the council. (2) Private livestock buyers are to obtain a permit from council prior to buying any livestock within the district. (3) At all cattle sales, whether privately organised or organised by a local authority, a cattle levy of 5 per centum of the price of each beast sold or an amount prescribed in the council budget, shall be collected from every buyer of cattle and the levy shall be distributed as prescribed by council. Movement of livestock 5. (1) No person shall move livestock from one property to another without clearance from police, council and veterinary office. (2) No person shall approach the Veterinary Office without a supporting letter from the council for livestock movement. (3) In the case of cattle being moved outside the district or for slaughter, the council shall issue a supporting letter in support of the request before the veterinary services department issues such movement permit. (4) Council shall refuse to issue a supporting letter if there is evidence that the objective of removal of livestock from the district is for the purpose of evading levies or marketing fees arising from organised livestock sales. S.I. 236 of 2023 1563 Stray stock 6. (1) Any person, who finds a stray stock shall act in terms of section 16 of the Stock Trespass Act [Chapter 19:14]. (2) Any stray stock shall be impounded by the council. (3) Any livestock found straying within urban centres, growth points and public institutions shall be impounded by the council. (4) Any person who intends to claim the impounded stock in terms of subsections (1), (2) and (3) shall be charged a penalty prescribed by council. (5) Any unclaimed stock shall be auctioned in terms of Stock Trespass Act [Chapter 19:14]. (6) Any person, whether an inhabitant or otherwise, who within the area regulated by these by-laws— (a) fails to register any stray stock in their possession to police, within three months from its arrival; or (b) falsely claims that the stock belongs to him or her; or (c) dehorns or castrates any stray stock he or she held; or (d) whose livestock is found in service or business areas; shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine as prescribed by council or handed over to the police to be prosecuted as a case of stock-theft. Offences and penalties 7. Any person who contravenes any provision of these by-laws shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to a fine or penalty prescribed by council. 1564 Mutoko Rural District Council (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2023 Supplement to the Zimbabwean Government Gazette dated the 1st December, 2023. Printed by the Government Printer, Harare.