11 Jun 2019

Department of Veterinary Services will continue to maintain the cordon fences to prevent possible Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) recurrence in Zone Seven.

Addressing councillors during the ongoing Bobirwa Sub-council meeting on June 10, the sub-council chairperson Mr Goratamang Masweu said the Department of Veterinary Services would also improve on the efficiency of field assistants (picketers) and patrolling along the border in collaboration with government security agents and farmers’ associations.

He said the Department of Veterinary Services had been conducting an active surveillance on FMD in the whole sub-district in accordance with the set standards in the Progressive Control Pathway of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health towards FMD freedom status.

The surveillance data was submitted to the organisation for consideration of Zone Seven to FMD freedom status and the area was officially declared FMD free without vaccination.

 Mr Masweu further said the major challenge on the cordon fences included damage by elephants, as well as acts of vandalism, especially along the border.

He said the sub-district was concerned about the cross border movement of livestock, which is putting the area at a risk of FMD infection and the emerging Peste des Petits Ruminants disease, which has been spreading from the north to the south of the continent.

He informed councillors that the department had done its part, even to the extent of vaccinating cattle in Zimbabwe for FMD, in a desperate effort to protect the area.

To maintain the FMD free status, he said, farmers should tag their animals, help with patrols along the border and report illegal activities along the border.

Regarding the crime situation in Bobirwa, Mr Masweu informed councillors that Semolale Police was hard hit by smuggling of livestock, especially from Botswana to Zimbabwe.

Nonetheless, he said the Kgomo-Khumo operation, which was rolled out to Bobirwa in February, managed to seize 86 cattle, 24 donkeys and a goat from suspects as exhibits. ENDS