Municipality Continues to Remove Stray Dogs
…57 removed in the last three months
The Municipal Council of Manzini continues with its stray dog removal programme in a bid to ensure that the city’s streets are safe for use by members of the public; particularly pedestrians. Stray dogs pose a challenge in terms of the quality of life amongst citizens. They overturn litter bins whilst awaiting collection by refuse trucks, leaving waste scattered all over. They also make walking on the streets uncomfortable as they tend to attack pedestrians; in the process exposing them to the risk of contracting diseases such as rabies. According to Animal Health Inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Offices, Sibonginkosi Mdluli, at least 30 dog bite cases were reported to the Manzini Veterinary Office in September 2022 alone. Fifteen of them had owners whilst the rest were stray. According to Mdluli, most of the dog bite cases were from Ngwane Park and Fairview. The Municipality is concerned about the presence of stray dogs in the city. Residents are advised to ensure their dogs are always kept within secure premises and not allowed out of the yard. Those who keep dogs yet do not have secure perimeter fencing are urged to ensure they always keep them on the leash.
The Municipality will continue to remove stray dogs. Section 7 of the Registration of Dogs Act, 1953, says a dog which is not under control and custody of any person and which is found trespassing on land may be destroyed forthwith. Moreover, Regulation 5 of the Urban Government Regulations, 1969 reads: “No person shall set on, urge on, nor, so far as he is able to prevent, permit his dog or any other animals kept by him to attack or rush at any person or animal, or motor cars or cyclists, or in any other way to interfere with the comfort of any member of the public”. Statistics shows that 57 stray dogs have been removed by the Municipality in various townships in the last three months; and Ngwane Park recorded the highest number with 30 stray dogs, followed by Fairview with 14. Others were removed from Coates Valley (4), Mangwaneni (4), Moneni (3) and Zakhele (2).
…RESIDENTS URGED TO VACCINATE DOGS AGAINST RABIES
…Agriculture Ministry vaccinating in Manzini city this week
dog injecting by vet doctor
The Municipal Council of Manzini urges residents to ensure their dogs are vaccinated against rabies. The Ministry of Agriculture has rolled out a countrywide rabies vaccination exercise; and this week they are in the City of Manzini. Vaccination stations are available at Mangwaneni informal settlement, Living Waters School, Manzini dip tank, Sterkstroom shops and Fairview North recreational park. They open at 7am and close at 12 noon. The Manzini Veterinary Office is another vaccination centre and it opens at 8am and close at 4pm on a daily basis. Those who are unable to visit the above-mentioned vaccination stations may make use of the veterinary offices. Manzini Regional Veterinary Officer under the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Zizwe Cindzi, says rabies is one of the deadliest viruses that exist in animals. The virus’ mode of transmission is saliva; either through dog bites or scratches. Dr Cindzi reminds dog owners that failure to vaccinate one’s dog against rabies is, according to the Animal Disease Act, 1965 (as amended), a criminal offence and the fine can go up to E300 per dog.
… MANZINI CITY COMMEMORATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
…’The Time is now. Our rights, Our Future’
The Municipal Council of Manzini, in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation Eswatini, last Friday hosted an event in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child. The day is commemorated annually on the 11th October, and the theme for this year was “The time is now. Our rights, Our Future.” The event was also attended by other supporting partners, namely; Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The day also marked the official launch of the life skills programme which will be incorporated in the secondary schools curriculum. As a way of introducing the programme, a debate competition was hosted amongst four schools that were present during the day, namely; Manzini Nazarene High School, KaZakhali High School, St Micheal’s High School and St Theresa’s High School. Speaking during the event, Manzini Mayor, Councillor Quinton Els, expressed appreciation for the attendance and further expressed gratitude to the partners who contributed towards making the event the desired success. He also encouraged girls to keep working hard as they represented a larger population of leaders globally.
…MANZINI NORTH INKHUNDLA VISITS MUNICIPALITY, RELATIONS STRENGTHENED
The Municipal Council of Manzini was last Thursday visited by the Manzini North Inkhundla, led by Member of Parliament Macford Sibandze, for purposes of strengthening relations between the two parties. A number of pertinent issues that are aimed at improving the quality of life for citizens were discussed and it was agreed that such engagements would be frequent going forward. The following group photo was taken during the visit…
