The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure: Senior Reporter
THE Department of Veterinary Services has destroyed 26 cattle and a goat that were smuggled from Mozambique for resale to local abattoirs in a bid to curb illegal livestock movement that pose high risk for the entry and rapid spread of serious diseases and high cost of eliminating them in the country.The cattle were intercepted in Kazozo Village, in Nyanga district on November 5, 2016. Five people Watson Chakanyuka (four cattle), Gilbert Kaivhu (15 and one goat), Mike Nechembo (three) and Nomore Masarirevhu (four) — have since been arrested in connection with the offence and are assisting with investigations to establish the extent of livestock smuggling along the porous border.
The probe will as help to curb uncontrolled animal movements that pose high risk for the entry and rapid spread of serious diseases and high cost of eliminating them. The five, who were driving the cattle in the bush failed to produce any documentation and the cattle had no brand marks as required by the law, are expected in court today (November 18).
It is suspected the syndicate is taking advantage of better greenback exchange rate against the meticais to smuggle cattle from Mozambique for resale to abattoirs, without following the requisite process.
The Provincial Veterinary Officer for Manicaland Dr Charles Guri was issued with destruction and disposal order by the director in the Department of Veterinary Services Dr Josphat Nyika, on November 7, 2016.
“By the authority vested in the Director of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe in terms of the Animal Health Act Chapter 19: 01, section 8, subsection (1) and (2), as read with Section 7, subsection (3), paragraph (a) pertaining to the disposal of animals and infectious things unlawfully imported into Zimbabwe and disposal of animals and things, contaminated of infested with disease or pest.
“The Provincial Veterinary Officer for Manicaland and or his representative (authorised person) is herby ordered to destroy and ensure safe disposal of twenty-six (26) bovine animals and one goat unlawfully imported into Zimbabwe from Mozambique by the five accused persons.
“The animals were illegally imported into Zimbabwe, intercepted at Kazozo Village, Nyanga district, on November 5, 2016, en-route to Mutoko Sale Pen,” reads part of the order.
Dr Guri and his team destroyed the herd on Wednesday last week. Those wishing to import livestock from Mozambique of any other country should ensure that the intended animals test negative to notifiable diseases such as Foot and Mouth (FMD), tuberculosis (TB) and anthrax, among other diseases listed on the animal import licence.
FMD is highly contagious and its transmission is facilitated by movements of infected animals and animal products. Cattle are highly susceptible to the disease. In Zimbabwe cattle movement from Chipinge, which has been declared an FMD zone, are not allowed, hence, the old maxim that prevention is better than cure remains very relevant when dealing with FMD and other trans-boundary animal diseases.
Import control is the first line of defence against serious livestock diseases, and Zimbabwe should implement effective border and import quarantine policies and programmes to prevent importation of these diseases into the country.
