Chronicle Editor
Dumisani Nsingo recently in Gwanda, Senior Farming Reporter
MORE than 30 000 cattle from areas bordering Botswana crossed into the neighbouring country in the last seven months heightening renewed fears that they will be killed.
Matabeleland Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Matabeleland South provincial veterinary officer Dr Enat Mdlongwa said the number of cattle crossing the border to Botswana has over the last few months significantly increased causing authorities from the neighbouring country to raise alarm.
“We need to engage our farmers in terms of these animals crossing over our border because if we don’t, authorities in Botswana will start revoking their Animal Disease Act (Chapter 37) which gives them the mandate of destroying our animals. So, we need to be talking to our farmers to look after their animals on the Zimbabwean territory. We have no control whatsoever in terms of the Botswana territory,” he said.
Statistics from the department showed that in January 10 869 Zimbabwe cattle moved into Botswana compared to last year’s figures, which showed that in July 2019 there were 779 that strayed into Botswana. In August (1 533), September (2 891), October (3 793), November (3 503) and December (6 977) cattle crossed the border.
Dr Mdlongwa attributed the movement of cattle into the Botswana territory to shortage of graze due to the drought, further stating that it was largely concentrated in areas near Northern Tuli Game Reserve.
“There is indication that probably because of the drought that encroached into 2020 the numbers (of cattle crossing over to Botswana) have started going up again . . . there are a lot of repeat animals crossing over today and then tomorrow going back especially at the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve, in terms of land use in Botswana, is a livestock free zone. They (Botswana officials) don’t want to see any livestock in that area and for that reason there is some bit of grass that is growing in that area. Our animals normally cross over there and on average authorities there are saying they are pushing out over a 1 000 animals back to our side,” he said.
Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) Matabeleland South provincial crop and livestock officer Ms Simangaliphi Ngwabi confirmed the development, further stating that the straying of cattle into Botswana has repercussions considering that the neighbouring country was making efforts to protect its beef export European Union (EU) certification.
“It has been the norm over the years that communal farmers push their cattle across the border for relief grazing, especially during drought but over the last few years there have been campaigns against such practices as Botswana authorities have insisted that they will shoot any cattle, which will stray into their territory in a bid to protect their EU certification,” she said.
In 2016 Botswana shot and burnt more than 400 cattle that strayed into that country from Zimbabwe and last year over 1 000 cattle from Gwanda and Bulilima West constituency were also shot and incinerated by the Batswana authorities.
Contacted for a comment Botswana Central provincial veterinary officer Dr Jaone Sebina confirmed that there was illegal movement of cattle from both countries across the border, but hinted that the largest number was that of Zimbabwean animals crossing over to the Botswana side.
“Cattle between Botswana and Zimbabwe cross either direction, but a majority of the cattle are from Zimbabwe coming into Botswana, for whatever reason. The two countries as you know have their common border, the Shashe River, which is a broad river that divides Botswana and Zimbabwe . . . ,” he said.
Dr Sebina said as part of stopping cattle from crossing or spreading diseases into Zimbabwe, the Botswana government had enacted a disease control barrier or colon fence, which is, however, perennially destroyed by elephants as they move across the two countries, while part of it is alleged to have been vandalised and stolen by villagers living along the border.
@DNsingo
Online Reporter