City of Masvingo (Control of Livestock) By-laws, 2025
Masvingo now requires a US$10 permit to trade livestock, charges US$2 an animal to keep livestock and takes a 10% cattle levy from the buyer at every sale — with US$50 for moving stock on the hoof on council roads.
These by-laws control livestock trading and movement in the City of Masvingo area, made under section 229 of the Urban Councils Act.
No one may buy or sell livestock commercially without a council permit or otherwise than at a council-organised sale. At every sale, private or council-run, a levy of 10 per cent of the price of each animal is collected from the buyer and distributed as the council determines.
Livestock may not be moved to another council area without police and veterinary clearance, and the veterinary office may not be approached without a council supporting letter. Where cattle are moved out of the area or for slaughter, the council's letter comes first, and the council will refuse it where the move appears designed to avoid levies or marketing fees.
Stray stock is impounded by the council and dealt with under the Stock Trespass Act, with unclaimed animals auctioned under that Act.
Charges are in US dollars, payable in local currency at the interbank rate. A permit to buy, sell or de-pasture livestock costs US$10, keeping livestock costs US$2 per animal, and a movement support letter is free. Penalties are US$10 per animal to reclaim impounded stock, US$5 per animal where livestock is found in service or business areas, and US$50 for moving livestock on the hoof on roads or council land. The schedule prints nil penalties against moving livestock without a supporting letter and against unreported dehorning or castration.
What changed
- A council permit costing US$10 is required to trade livestock commercially
- Keeping livestock costs US$2 per animal
- A 10% cattle levy is collected from the buyer at every sale
- Movement requires police and veterinary clearance plus a council letter, issued free of charge
- Moving livestock on the hoof on roads or council land carries a US$50 penalty
Who this affects
- Livestock owners inside the Masvingo city area
- Livestock buyers and traders
- Abattoirs and butcheries sourcing locally
- Transporters moving stock through the city
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.