13 Mar 2019

Principal technical officer in the Department of Veterinary Services in Malolwane, Mr Mompati Monkadime has raised concerns over the increasing number of cases of livestock poisoning in the Kgatleng District, particularly from Mabalane to Pallacamp.

Mr Monkadime said on January 27, five cattle were found dead in the barren ploughing field belonging to a farmer in Malolwane.

He said the animals were suspected to have been attracted by the vegetation found in the unutilised ploughing field, then drank contaminated water from the tank in the farm.

Still in the same month, Mr Monkadime said  five goats were also found dead in a ploughing field in Oliphants Drift.

The goats, he said, were suspected to have eaten toxic substances.

In addition, Mr Monkadime said two dogs from Malolwane also died and it was  suspected that they had also consumed something toxic.

These mysterious deaths, according to Mr Monkadime, have not only affected domestic animals, but even wild animals had been affected, saying last December four  vultures were found dead.

He pleaded with members of the public not to eat any remains from animals where causes of death were unknown, but rather report such incidents to law enforcement officers.

“If they report well in time, we will be in position to burn the carcasses before birds of prey such as vultures feed on them,” said Mr Monkadime.

On other matters, Mr Monkadime said that the Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Limpopo Province, South Africa in December last year, where 50 cattle were found to have been infected, did not spread to the Kgatleng District due to prompt measures that were put in place.

“The ban of importation of live cloven-hoofed animals and their products at Sikwane Border Post is one of those measures.

Polonies, Russians, red meat and fresh milk are not allowed to cross the border either,” he said.

In addition, he said they have installed a makeshift foot bath at Sikwane Border Post, where all those coming into the country were strictly expected to comply.

Mr Monkadime further said they were doing regular sampling or tests on cattle around the area and so far they have done two tests to check for FMD, but they have not detected any traces of the disease. ENDS