By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
GOVERNMENT should put up punitive measures on livestock movement to curb the alarming increase in cases of cattle rustling, Senior Chief Chikantahas said.
Senior Chief Chikanta of the Tonga people in Kalomo said in an interview that the increase in stock thefts in Southern Province was because of the upsurge in the price of beef.
He said urgent measures should be taken to arrest the problem that now threatens to decimate the livelihood of villagers.
“I am deeply concerned with the increase in cattle rustling here in Kalomo and other parts of the province. Because of the increase in the price of beef, some people have taken advantage by stealing animals to go and sell on the black market. This is not good as it disturbs the growth of the private sector. So government should put punitive measures on livestock movement to try and curb stock thefts,” Senior Chief Chikanta said.
He also called on Government to ensure that the 2022 budget is implemented accordingly so that every sector benefits from it.
“We are very expectant about the implementation of the budget especially that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is the main source of small-scale development in rural areas, has been increased to K25.7 million for each constituency.
This is falling within the decentralisation programme. You cannot do proper decentralisation without proper funding,” he said.
Senior Chief Chikanta said the focus for Government and all citizens is the country’s economic recovery.
“We can only make the Zambian economy better when everyone participates. We have to put our efforts together and not leave the job to Government alone. Hard work and determination from every Zambian will result into a better economy,” he said.
