Panners, jackals threaten prison’s goat project

ILLEGAL gold panners and jackals are threatening the National Aids Council (Nac)-sponsored goat farming project at Gwanda prison farm in Matabeleland South province.

Speaking during a tour of the project by editors from various media houses last week, Gwanda prison farm manager Assistant Correctional Officer Stanford Musara said the goats were also susceptible to diseases.

Assistant Correctional Officer Musara said poor housing conditions exposed the goats to extreme weather conditions that made them susceptible to diseases such as foot-rot and pneumonia.

He added that illegal gold panners operating in the area had polluted the nearby water sources with mercury, which is lethal if consumed by animals.

“Initially 12 goats died due to poor adaptability to new conditions and diseases such as heartwater and foot-rot.

“We also have challenges with jackals that target goats when they are out grazing. We have since introduced guard dogs to curb the attacks.

“Gold panners also use poisonous chemicals which have polluted an earth dam across the road. If goats drink the contaminated water they will die,” he said.

Assistant Correctional Officer Musara pleaded for assistance to drill another borehole at the prison farm to improve availability of water for the goats.

He said work was also in progress to construct a new pen for the goats and a deep tank to protect the animals from diseases. “We have since constructed water troughs for the goats to get water within the farm but our challenge is that we are relying on a single borehole. If it breaks down we will be in trouble.

“As such we kindly ask for assistance to drill another borehole to ensure uninterrupted supply of water,” said Assistant Correctional Officer Musara.

He added, “As you can see we are constructing a new pen for the goats with better conditions, which should protect the animals from diseases. We are also building a deep tank.”

Assistant Correctional Officer Musara the goat farming project started in July 2015 when Nac donated 83 goats.

He said the herd grew in 2016 after Nac again donated $15 000 for the purchase of 129 goats.

At present the herd stands at 228 benefiting prisoners at Gwanda Prison and other satellite prisons within the province.

Assistant Correctional Officer Musara said they slaughter goats once every month for consumption by inmates to improve their nutrition.

“This project benefits inmates at Gwanda prison, including those in satellite prisons such as Plumtree, Beitbridge, Esigodini, Kezi and Filabusi.

“On average we cull 10 goats every month, three for Beitbridge, two for Plumtree, two for Gwanda, two for Esigodini and one for Kezi,” he said.

Assistant Correctional Officer Musara said under the project, they were crossbreeding Kalahari, Boer and Matebele goat breeds.

He said plans were to farm Sassen goats which they can milk to aide nutrition provision for inmates.

The goat project is part of Nac’s partnership with the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) to provide nutritional support to inmates.

Nac has so far injected $300 000 into the partnership which has seen various prisons across the country embark on different nutritional projects.

The thrust of the projects is to support inmates who are on antiretroviral therapy get adequate nutrition to complement treatment.