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when he mistook a cockroach pesticide for a dipping chemical and sprayed the animals with an intention of getting rid of ticks.
Mr Mangundu, of Mapuvire Village under Chief Madyangove, allegedly sprayed his cattle with a cockroach killer in place of a dipping chemical leading to the death of the animals.
The man’s son, Mr Pius Mangundu confirmed the incident and said his father was still failing to come to terms with the loss.
The incident happened last week over the weekend.
“My father is failing to come to grips with what has happened and he had to be hospitalised due to high blood pressure following the tragedy. He mistakenly took the cockroach killer for a dipping chemical and went on to spray all the animals numbering 23,” said Pius.
“There are chances the old man wanted to experiment if the pesticide could also be used as a dipping chemical or it was a genuine mistake,” he said.
A senior veterinary animal health inspector in Chivi said farmers should not try to experiment by using chemicals that they do not know. He also urged farmers to have proper storage facilities for the chemicals.
“Farmers should not experiment with chemicals that they do not know. They have to consult people with the know how on how some of the chemicals work. They should also ensure that they have secure storage facilities for these chemicals because they are also dangerous to humans, especially children,” said the inspector, who requested anonymity due to professional reasons.
Efforts to contact the farmer proved fruitless, as his phone was not reachable.
Last year a Mwenezi farmer, Mr Edward Sithole lost eight cattle after the animals strayed and reportedly consumed sorghum at a neighbouring village. Mr Komati Sithole, of Dhiki Village under Chief Chitanga, was left with no draught power after his four cattle also strayed and consumed an unknown weed resulting in their death.
derick.khumalo