22 Apr 2026

Botswana has taken steps to protect the livestock sector by partnering with Zimbabwe to vaccinate cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease  FMD in border areas.

This was said by principal veterinary officer, Dr Thito Seomile, briefing the North East District FMD Command Centre recently.

Dr Seomile said the joint operations vaccination campaign would be conducted by veterinary teams from both nations to create a buffer zone within a 10-kilometre radius of the border. 

“This initiative aims to reduce the risk of disease transmission resulting from cross-border livestock movements. These efforts are part of a broader and long-standing regional cooperation to secure livelihoods and food security while protecting the regional livestock industry. The project is supported by a P20 million investment designated for at least two rounds of vaccination,” he said.

Giving progress updates on zones 3c and 6b and the third phase of FMD vaccination, which ran from April 8 to 16, Dr Seomile said in Zone 3c (Maitengwe), over 8 400 cattle were vaccinated, while in Zone 6b (North of Bisoli Farm), over 7 400 cattle were vaccinated. 

He highlighted that the second booster vaccination was critical for ensuring herd immunity.

“What we have learnt was that we have not recorded a single FMD suspected cases in disease control 6b North of Bisoli farm as well as Zone 3c Maitengwe,” he said.

He also informed the command centre that the border fence had been successfully closed with a single line from Matopi Gate to the Dikgatlhong picket, covering approximately 10 kilometres.

However, he regretted that challenges remained at the Matopi triangle, where cattle from Zones 7, 6a, 6b and Zimbabwe often mixed.

“This is due to elephants vandalising the fence as they travel toward the Dikgatlhong Dam for water,” he added.

He also noted that herding and kraaling remained a challenge, as only a few farmers were currently managing their animals in accordance with the law to fight FMD.

Regarding small stock and pigs in Zone 3c and 6b, he said surveillance was ongoing and no cases had been detected.

“There is continued clinical surveillance in Zone 6a and 3c Maitengwe in the 20 kilometres radius and no traces of FMD suspect cases have been identified,” he said.

Additionally, he said wildlife sousveillance has commenced among the 6a farms and was currently ongoing.

During the briefing, Mr Ephraim Lesolame inquired about the number of cattle to be vaccinated in Zimbabwe and the timeline for reopening the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to the European market.

He also raised questions regarding the testing of wild animals outside of parks and the enforcement of laws concerning shepherding.

Mr Gabriel Seeletso asked for the commencement date of the joint vaccination exercise. 

He suggested that, in the event of a resource shortage such as a lack of vehicles, government should consider using horses, donkeys, or dogs to patrol the border and prevent cattle from crossing.

Mr Seeletso also expressed concerns regarding transparency over the P97 million reserved for FMD, suggesting that donor reluctance and Government Purchase Orders (GPOs) delays may necessitate a declared state of emergency.

In response, Dr Seomile explained that research was still ongoing and a specific date for the reopening of the BMC for EU slaughter was not yet available.

He further said the estimated number of cattle to be vaccinated in the joint exercise was 150 000. ENDS