GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Many residents on the north side of Thembalesizwe, near the river, are complaining about the pigsties in the area. There are about 12 small enclosures for pigs, with wire netting fencing and corrugated iron roofs. The smell in the area is dreadful, with a profusion of flies.
A man who regularly walks past the area said that some of the pigs will make a noise when someone passes, but most of them are lethargic, especially in the heat.
According to one resident, who didn't want to be named, the people who keep pigs were given space at the official piggery on the outskirts of town on the Klipplaat road, but do not want to use that facility as it is too far from their homes.
She said she has to keep all her doors and windows shut to keep the flies and the smell at bay.
"The pigs roam around at night too, and cause terrible problems," she said.
The ramshackle collection of pigsties just opposite a residential area.
Photos: Sue Shaw
The resident has spoken to a municipal official in Graaff-Reinet about the problem, and was told that regulations state that pigsties must be at least 100m from any houses. These are probably less than 50m from the nearest homes, but despite numerous complaints, nothing has been done.
According to Acting Municipal Spokesperson Wilca Smith, a pigsty may not be situated within at least 100m of the boundary of the premises of any structure used for human habitation.
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