Farmers warned to wary of pulpy kidney
MANICALAND farmers have been urged to be wary of pulpy kidney, a disease that attacks goats and sheep, which has the potential to impede livestock productivity.
Mutare District livestock officer Mr Nomatter Manunure said farmers should ensure the health of livestock like goats and sheep which are rarely affected by drought.
“We encourage farmers to prevent their livestock from being affected by pulpy kidney, so that they increase productivity,” he said. “The profitability of a goat enterprise depends largely on the animals’ health and productivity.
“Farmers should have skills to identify an animal in poor health, diagnose the illness and treat it, or obtain assistance from other knowledgeable farmers A MUREHWA man allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday after assaulting his mother who had chided him for bringing his friend to a family meeting.
Trevor Munetsi (34) of Chikwira Village under Chief Mangwende, Murehwa allegedly hanged himself from a roof beam with a rope at his homestead.
Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.
“I can confirm that we received a report of a man who hanged himself after allegedly assaulting his mother, Charity Munetsi (61),” he said.
“His body was discovered by his wife or the veterinary services department.
“We are aware of the difficult economic situation in the country hence Catherine Dhlamini (30) on the same day at around 11:40pm and a report was made at Murehwa police who attended the scene.
“We appeal to the public to desist from using violence and to always engage third parties whenever there are disputes, to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.”
It is alleged that on February 26 at around 1800hrs, Trevor was at a family meeting with his mother, his uncle Joseph Munetsi (48), his father Norman Munetsi (68), his wife and a friend identified as Johannes.
An argument arose between Trevor and his mother after she asked him why he had brought Johannes to the meeting.
Trevor became violent and started assaulting his mother with fists before most farmers are unable to immunise their livestock but we encourage them to make contributions as communities to buy vaccines.”
Pulpy kidney disease can cause sudden death in livestock and Mr Manunure said farmers should take it seriously and report any such cases.
He advised farmers to be ready to buy supplementary feeds for their livestock and destocking, since the grazing lands had decreased due to a prolonged dry spell.
“We hope that with the rains we received last week the grazing will rejuvenate,” he said.
Mr Manunure urged farmers to ensure that goats and sheep always have access to clean drinking water and the correct quality of grazing, browsing and supplementary feed. he was restrained by his uncle.
He turned on his father and started assaulting him as well and then rushed to a nearby well and dived into it. He was retrieved by his uncle and wife. It is reported that after being rescued, Trevor attacked his mother again who rushed to her bedroom and locked herself inside together with her daughterin-law.
Trevor went to the kitchen, took a rope and tried to hang himself, but was restrained by his uncle who then left with his father and friend.
At around 11:40pm, Trevor’s wife went outside and found his body hanging from a rope on the veranda.
The body was taken to Murehwa Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.