11 Jul 2013

The de-population exercise of small stock at Matshelagabedi, Matsiloje, Matopi and Patayamatebele and Ditladi was completed on July 3.

Briefing department of veterinary services teams and other stakeholders, who were engaged in the exercise at the de-briefing meeting in Matsiloje on July 10, the project team leader, Mr Sylvester Mswela appreciated the teams for having done the job in the shortest period of time.

Mr Mswela noted that although they had anticipated that the project would last for 10 days from June 10-19, it turned out to be impossible due to some challenges they experienced, which included the collection of the animals from individual farmer’s kraals instead of the arranged collecting points.

He explained that they had arranged with farmers to bring their animals to one of the six collecting points but the arrangement seemed to have not gone well with the affected farmers who then decided to have their goats collected from the kraals.

The project leader noted that they had to open their own access to the kraals for ease of trucks they were using to collect the animals, hence more manpower was required and more time was spent on this exercise.

He, however appreciated the cooperation they received from farmers as they managed to collect 25 232 animals from 1 067 farmers in the affected areas. He added that of the total number, 21 751 were goats while 3 841 were sheep.

Mr Mswela further explained that they buried 24 010 while 948 were given to farmers for slaughtering as a goodwill gesture from the ministry. Of these, he said 341 were given to six schools in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the pincipal technical officer, Mr Olebogile Moseki decried communication breakdown between them and their supervisors who had arranged with farmers on collection of animals. Mr Moseki noted that farmers complained to them that they had to wait for a long time for the trucks to come to their places.

In addition, he mentioned that some were afraid that after de-population, it was going to be difficult for them to get information on restocking. He further noted that despite the fact that there was an arrangement for farmers to be counselled, such an arrangement was non-existent for officers.

However, he said in future, counselling for officers on the ground should be a priority. The project coordinator, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi applauded the de-population exercise teams for a job well done in the shortest period. He noted that they had not received any negative feedback from the farmers from their interaction with officers during the exercise.

He also noted that they had been addressing Kgotla meetings to update and share with the farmers what was happening on the ground. In addition, he said so far almost all the farmers that had requested for payments for some of their animals had received their dues.

He further pointed that re-stocking would only take place after the three months surveillance exercise which was already on-going. He was also hopeful that by October, farmers would receive their animals, adding that construction of the quarantine fence was also in progress and was expected to be completed in two months. ENDS