Vet Department destroys 20 cattle
A CHIPINGE farmer was left counting huge losses after an attempt to illegally move 20 cattle from a quarantined zone backfired terribly when a truck ferrying them was intercepted by the police — leading to the destruction of the beasts by veterinary authorities this week.
The cattle, with an estimated value of U$10 000 were intercepted at a police roadblock in Middle Sabi around midnight on December 16.
The haul is a tip of the iceberg into nightly illegal movement of livestock in the province.
The 20 cattle were laden in a three-tonne truck from Chinyamukwakwa Dip Tank in Chipinge and were destined for Bikita District under Chief Ziki.
The Chinyamukwakwa Dip Tank is a vaccination zone for foot and mouth disease, known by the acronym FMD, and currently under quarantine.
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral livestock disease that has a significant economic impact. It affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
It is a trans-boundary animal disease (TAD) that deeply affect the production of livestock, and can disrupt regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
If left unchecked, the disease can cripple the livestock sector, cause immense animal suffering, destroy farmer businesses, create food insecurity, and has massive trade impacts for the country.
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Manicaland was authorised to destroy the 20 beasts on Tuesday, leaving their owner — Pedzisai Tirivangani — counting huge loses.
The destruction was meant to curb illegal movement of livestock that pose high risk and rapid spread of serious diseases in the province.
The destruction and disposal order, dated December 18, 2023, and addressed to the PVO for Manicaland by the Director Department of Veterinary Field Services, Dr Jairus Machakwa, noted that the intercepted cattle had been moved without a movement permit and police clearance documents.
Dr Machakwa said Tirivangani has since been arrested for contravening provisions of the Animal Health (Movement of Cattle and Pigs) Regulations and Statutory Instrument (SI) 280 of 1984, and was expected to appear in court yesterday (Thursday).
“Upon inquiries, Pedzisai Tirivangani could not produce movement permit and police clearance documents. The 20 cattle were destined for Bikita District under Chief Ziki. The Chinyamukwakwa Dip Tank is a vaccination zone for FMD, and is currently under a quarantined area. The movement puts cattle along the way and those at the destination at risk of FMD infection,”he said.
No cattle should be moved or allowed to stray into or from a quarantined area to stop further spreading of the pests, disease or deaths.
Dr Machakwa said the cattle were destroyed at Rupisa Quarantine Centre in Chipinge with the aid of police details.
The beasts were first gunned down and then set on fire.