Tsetse fly wreaks havok

Government to resuscitate the tsetse fly control programme as the parasites are again threatening to wipe out livestock in the area.
The villagers in the Nyangwizhu-Masanga tsetse fly infested area near Kariba, claim that since the suspension of the programme 10-years-ago, the area experienced massive loss of cattle to tsetse fly borne diseases.
Councillor Nokias Mavhurere, said: “In as much as the Government would want to restock the national herd, I think our case should be considered with great concern. This area used to produce a lot of beasts. People here also used to farm competently as draught power was plenty. The reverse happened about 10-years-ago when the tsetse control programme was stopped.
“With little draught power, villagers’ crop yields also drastically depleted. Right now, it’s like we have no cattle in the Masanga, Kajekache and Nyangwizhu and Nyadara areas. It’s only very few villagers with cattle. My appeal to the Government therefore is to resuscitate this vital programme so that people can safely start restocking their herd, otherwise no one in the area would be able to participate in restocking the national herd if this challenge is not addressed.”
Mr Tawedzerwa Chuma of Kagodo Village in the Nyangwizhu area who said of the 40 cattle that his family had around 2005, only two survived the tsetse fly diseases that swept through the area over the years.
“Each time our beasts got ill, we took them to the veterinary office at Kajekache where trypanosomiasis was often diagnosed. Although we tried our best by buying the recommended drugs, it did not help. On the other hand ticks have always been a problem here. Regular dipping only started last December,” said Mr Chuma.
Mr Amos Kangaderere (45) of Masango Village in the same ward said he was among the 50 people in the village who had lost their entire herd to tsetse and tick-borne diseases over the past six years.
No comment could be obtained from the Veterinary Department.