Uitenhage farmer shoots dead cattle belonging to local residents

Trollip said that Cllr Bhanga reported back saying that he met with KwaNobuhle livestock owners, whose cattle were gunned down by a farmer earlier this week.

"Given the suffocating draught conditions currently facing our Metro, urban livestock are often forced to escape their enclosures in desperate search of food," reported Cllr Bhanga.

"For many of our residents, livestock are their only form of livelihood and wealth.

"The mere sight of cattle can never warrant the lethal use of a deadly firearm, stripping these livestock owners of livelihood. These implications are far-reaching and truly devastating."

Eight cows are dead and at least two were seen limping through the streets, bleeding from various gunshot wounds, many hours after the shooting.

"Social cohesion is founded in due consideration of each other’s cultures and beliefs. No weapon should prevent this crucial understanding," said Bhanga.

"I urge the South African Police Service to swiftly conclude their investigation into this horrible incident. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of this having been an act of animal cruelty, malicious damage to property or plain intolerance of fellow residents’ right to own cattle as a source of wealth."