Government commissions US$3 million Gonarezhou fence

George Maponga in Chiredzi

Government has commissioned the 192km-Gonarezhou Veterinary Game Cordon fence, which is a key milestone in efforts to combat the spread of foot and mouth disease in the cattle-rich southern and eastern parts of Chiredzi district.

The project entailed reconstruction of the fence that separate wildlife in Gonarezhou, especially buffaloes, from livestock in surrounding communities in Chiredzi district.

Speaking at the commissioning of the cordon fence project at Mhlanguleni Primary School in Chiredzi South, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka says the project is part of efforts to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease from buffaloes to livestock.

He said the commissioning of the fence is motivated by the Government’s drive to create foot and mouth free zones that will form the nucleus of the country’s thrust to reclaim lost local and foreign lucrative beef markets.

Dr Masuka said the fence will also stem the growing tide of conflict between humans and wildlife.

He challenged the Department of Veterinary Services and the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) to jointly look after the fence and protect it from vandalism.

The project kicked-off in 2018 and was wholly funded by Government, with Chiredzi communities hailing it for creating employment opportunities for locals.

Minister Masuka was accompanied by Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira to commission the project.