13 Aug 2015

Shorobe village Deputy Kgosi, Gaditshwane Mmutle is optimistic that the re-instatement of cattle quarantines will reduce the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Ngamiland district.

He appreciated the fact that livestock farming has brought devastating economic suffering in the district due to a prolonged absence of beef market because of livestock disease outbreaks

He said in an interview that recently, the department of Veterinary Services has assured them that a decision has been taken to revive quarantines camps in an effort to curb the spread of FMD.

This comes after suspected outbreak of Foot FMD that was recorded at Matsaudi village recently. 

Kgosi Mmutle said they were shocked to learn that about 29 cattle had been affected.

He noted that villages like Matsaudi and Shorobe are prone to buffalo movement but FMD has never been reported since the first outbreak in 2007. 

He believed that farmers have joined hands with the department of Veterinary Services to make 100% vaccinations throughout all the years. 

“It was the first time to register an FMD outbreak in many years in the area because we made sure that all cattle are vaccinated. 

We were shocked by the news because buffaloes move freely in our area and we have never heard of FMD,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shorobe is one of the areas included in the arrangement of transporting cattle for slaughter at Francistown abattoir which was supposed to take effect end of July. Kgosi

Mmutle expressed happiness with the new development to revive quarantines camps noting that the move will make a difference and the community will be able to benefit from their cattle.

He said in the past, cattle were kept in quarantines camps before going for slaughter but the quarantines camps had been neglected for a long time and yet they played an important role in controlling and containing diseases. 

Kgosi Molatedi Dingalo appreciated government’s effort to control FMD through construction of buffer fence but noted that elephants continue to frustrate their effort by destroying the fence day and night. 

He also believed quarantines would be the best solution to control and contain the disease.
On other issues, Kgosi Dingalo said residents are still experiencing shortage of water as they spend days without water.

He said they are being supplied with water through bowsers but at times they go for days without it hence they have resorted to drinking from the river.

He said despite assurance by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama during his recent visit at the village that water crisis in the village would be addressed accordingly, there is no improvement. ENDS