Gweru City Council Orders Immediate Removal Of All Cattle, Donkeys and Animal-Drawn Carts

The Gweru City Council has issued a 14-day ultimatum for residents to remove all cattle and donkeys from within the municipal boundaries. This sweeping new directive, announced in November 2025, also imposes a strict ban on all animal-drawn carts, signalling a major shift in the management of the urban environment. The council is taking a hard line, warning that any impounded animals will be auctioned off after a statutory period.

A Fourteen-Day Countdown For Livestock Owners

According to the local authority’s Public Relations Officer, Vimbai Chingwaramusee, the notice was issued to protect public safety and preserve city sanitation. The official statement from the Gweru City Council laid down the law in no uncertain terms.

“The City of Gweru hereby gives Fourteen (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 undersigned and unpermitted areas. This notice serves to protect public safety, preserve sanitation and maintain order within the city boundaries.”

The council has set a firm deadline for compliance, with all animals required to be removed on or before 20 November 2025.

Crackdown On Animal-Drawn Carts

The new measures extend beyond just the animals themselves to the vehicles they pull. The Gweru City Council has now completely prohibited a common mode of transport and goods movement within the city. The statement from the local authority detailed the severe consequences for those who defy the ban.

“Animal-drawn scotch carts and similar vehicles are prohibited within the city boundaries. Any such carts, together with their draught animals, shall be impounded and confined to the Antelope Park Pound and auctioned after the statutory 90 days.”

This move effectively outlaws a traditional way of life for many residents, with the council invoking powers granted under the Urban Councils Act to enforce the new rules.

Residents’ Complaints Spark Council Action

The drastic new policy did not emerge from nowhere. The development follows a rising tide of complaints from residents about the dangers and nuisances associated with livestock roaming freely in urban areas. Reports have detailed increasing concerns about animals wandering onto major roads, creating unexpected traffic hazards for motorists. There have also been grievances about damage to public infrastructure, such as gardens and fences, attributed to stray cattle and donkeys.

This public pressure appears to have been a significant factor in prompting the Gweru City Council to take this firm and unprecedented action.