The government has appealed for leniency from Botswana amid revelations that a herd of seventy two cattle that strayed into the neighbouring country was destroyed last week, bringing the tally to 112 animals killed in one month in Gwanda district.
A herd of 112 cattle from Gwanda seeking grazing and water across the border has been destroyed in a month.
Vice President Cde Kembo Mohadi said while the government is aware that the Botswana is an exporter of beef to the European Union hence its tough foot and mouth control measures , the destruction of stray cattle was affecting the economy of the livestock breeding region of Matabeleland South.
Cde Mohadi , who appealed for leniency from the neighbouring country, said government will soon dispatch the national Joint operations command to engage with Botswana on the matter.
“In the past we had an understanding with Botswana where we would ask the authorities there to quarantine and repatriate our herds but maybe we have to ask our local national JOC to speak to their counterparts and see if we could reach some kind of agreement,” he said
In light of the current drought situation, Vice President Mohadi said government is mulling allowing livestock producers to import stock feed duty free.
“We were thinking that maybe we could allow our farmers to import stock feed duty free but we know that we have a problem with foreign currency. But we have also been saying the ministry of agriculture should revive feedlots so as to save our breeding stock,” he said.
This comes amid revelations that 3120 cattle have since succumbed to drought in Matabeleland South due to the critical shortage of pastures and water.
The worst affected districts are Gwanda, Beitbridge, Mangwe, Umzingwane and Matobo.
