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{
    "id": 1367805,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1367805/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 359,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "legislation such as this that is innovative and forward-thinking. Congratulations to the Senator. This Bill is anchored on Article 45 of the Constitution. It continues with my train of thought in terms of the calibre of legislation that is coming out of this honourable House in this particular term. Unfortunately, we continue to see wrangles, issues, ingrained problems within the country because of livestock theft and cattle rustling. Unfortunately, more than just livestock has been lost. Trust has been lost within communities and livelihoods have been lost within families. There is a lot of anger in many parts of the country because of this issue. In the worst case, we see fatalities because of the issue of cattle rustling and livestock theft. This Bill provides solutions to these problems. Even though they may not completely eradicate the matter, I am certain that they will lower the issues that we are seeing all in the news. I applaud the Senator on the different provisions of punitive action that he has put together in his Bill. Even though some may say that some of the action is quite excessive in terms of life imprisonment and the amount of money in fines. I would like to remind anyone who may think along that line that there is more that has been lost without these types of punitive actions. People have died in the hands of bandits and thieves because of poverty and cartels. Even though some might say the punitive actions are excessive, I believe that a punishment such as life imprisonment upon conviction of livestock theft is very much in order. Madam Temporary Speaker, I also like this provision that has been put together regarding tracking of livestock. That is very important as it has been said already. I will not go into repeating anything that has already been said. In my opinion, it is an opportunity for young people to come up with very innovative technologies and digital types of solutions to how to brand these livestock. This is so that we are not putting any more strain on these livestock in terms of branding them in the old fashion sense. Young people can take this as an opportunity for financial empowerment. To have their ideas put on the national stage. I even encouraged the Senator, within his county and sphere of influence, to table this idea amongst young people. Bring them together and say, “I have this Bill that I have tabled in the House. As young people, let us try and put together some kind of competition or workshops so that we can find innovative ways of branding livestock. This is so as to see improvement and progress in this country because you are on the ground. You are innovative and you have got fresh ideas.” Madam Temporary Speaker, I also like the provision that has been put in the Bill regarding the curfew of 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. on movement of livestock. We know that many good things happen in the dark, but unfortunately many bad things also happen. One of these things is the movement of livestock when they are being stolen by whichever group that is doing this heinous act. I believe that is the spirit of this particular provision. That is where it came from. We want to make sure that when livestock is being transported across the country for one reason or the other, there is permission and licenses that have also been provided. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}