25 Mar 2026

Bobirwa farmers and members of mephato-traditional regiments, have been urged to continue taking precautionary measures and to remain vigilant against any trace of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) detected in their zone.

Speaking during a meeting with Mephato and stakeholders on March 23, Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale cautioned farmers that Zimbabwe had, from December last year up to now, recorded 833 suspected cases of FMD in Matebeleland South, which borders Botswana (Bobirwa side) and South Africa.

It is against this backdrop that Dr Butale encouraged farmers and mephato to consistently guard the borders and maintain the cordon fence as they had committed to doing to keep their zone in the green.

Notwithstanding the suspected cases, the minister informed the gathering that government of Zimbabwe had taken steps to restrict livestock movement in the affected areas like Gwanda.

Also, there are roadblocks to ensure that such restrictions were adhered to, the minister said. The restrictions, he said, were a product of benchmarking from Botswana on how best to combat and prevent FMD spread across the country, although Zimbabwe, unlike Botswana, does not have zones that are pivotal in restricting livestock movements. Additionally, Dr Butale reported that Zimbabwe had also banned meat sales in the affected areas.

He commended dikgosi for their vast knowledge of international relations as demonstrated through combating cross-border livestock rustling and FMD.

Furthermore, Minister Butale reminded Batswana whose villages lie along the border with South Africa to exercise caution since cases of FMD had also been detected in Southern Africa’s biggest economy.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana informed the gathering that the Bail Act and the Magistrates Act would be amended to address the rising cases of livestock theft.

He stated that his ministry was aware of public concerns regarding the ease with which courts granted bail to accused persons, including repeat offenders, in livestock cases.

To address public concerns, Minister Ramaotwana stated that the Bail Act of 2024 was under review and considerations were currently on the table to install tracking bracelets for individuals on bail to monitor their movements and curb repeat offending.

“If they send conspirators to steal livestock on their behalf, such conspirators will also be fitted with bracelets until there is no one of them left,” Minister Ramaotwana said. Also, Mr Ramaotwana said that the Magistrates Act would be reviewed to allow for expedited trials of accused persons in livestock theft, saying the law in its current position prohibited holding accused persons behind bars for an extended period before sentence.

The amendment would ensure that magistrates were placed strategically in their grades to avoid delays in disposing cases. ENDS