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THE GREYTON POST
MAR /APRIL 2025
Residents take active measures to prevent road deaths
is generally concerned with animals’ safety or has a voice in the community who could help us disseminate the message,” says Simon. One suggestion by the group was to paint reflective stripes on horses. Simon sourced the paint from Mr Morabedi Memphis Kaotsane, a supplier in North West Province where
ripped out by the collision,” says EARS Donkey Sanctuary manager, Penny James. Two cattle struck by trucks in two separate incidents had to be euthanased at the scene. Speeding vehicles, poor visibility on the R406 and in Voorstekraal at night and animals grazing on verges are blamed for the accidents which
Toni Younghusband
C oncerns about livestock deaths on the R406, and the potential danger to motorists, has led to the establishment of an action group which is implementing measures to make roaming animals more visible, while negotiating with animal owners to keep their animals under control. Between January 2024 and January 2025 six horses and two cattle died on our roads and two more were injured. “Three horses died outright and three had to be euthanased. One of the fatalities was a mare whose almost full-term foal was
and there’s concern about it coming off when they roll or move through bushes. We should have painted thicker, heavier stripes to make them more obvious. However, while driving back from fighting a fire one night I saw movement in the distance and then spotted the lines which definitely helped get my attention,” Simon says. Reflective tape, donated by Ward Councillor Chris Cloete, is also being tried on the horses. “It’s a work in progress,” says Penny. “At this stage we’re still testing to see what’s effective and what isn’t.” In addition, Capt Louw is working on pulling together all affected agencies - TWK’s traffic department, law enforcement, SAPS and community groups – to collaborate on ways to get animal owners to keep their animals under control. “The problem starts at home. We’re dealing with livestock not being kept under proper supervision,” says Simon.
donkeys are painted to improve visibility. Mr Kaotsane donated five cans of paint and others were donated by the Action Group and by SAPS Captain Louise Louw- Steenkamp. Working with EARS, the Action Group then sprayed several horses. “The paint is a variable success,” says Simon.
also result in serious injuries and potential fatalities to motorists and their passengers. Simon Struben, Community Policing Forum representative, launched the Greyton Animal Action Group after attending to a recent accident outside Genadendal. “There was so much talk about what should be done but nobody was doing anything so I put together a group that
“We’ve found that horses tend to lick it off each other,
STRUBEN PROJECT S O L U T I O N S
SIMON STRUBEN PROJECT MANAGER
simon@strubenprojects.co.za 083 701 7770
- Project Planning & Control - Project Adminisration & Cost Control - Contractor Coordination - Onsite Supervision - Sourcing Professional Services - Local Council Liaison
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