WATCH: Poisoned cattle saga: Lumpy skin disease threatens donated herd

IT has been 16 months since the Mpofu family in Dolahali area in Nhlekisa Village, Nkayi District lost 21 cattle to a deadly grain protectant, and the donated cattle have started calving with one having given birth while two more are expecting.

The outbreak of lumpy skin disease in the district early this year affected three of the donated beasts.

The tragedy befell the Mpofu family in June last year after a breakdown in communication saw the cattle being given the deadly grain protectant for dosing resulting in the family losing 21 cattle, with one surviving.

The cattle were given a tablet each of aluminum phosphide, which is used for fumigating stored grain, seeds and tobacco among others.

The cattle belong to three Mpofu family members, Mr Lindani Mpofu, who bought the pesticide; Mr Orderly Mpofu, who dosed the cattle and 99-year-old Mrs Janet Mpofu.

The cattle were said to be valued at over US$ 8 500. Well-wishers who were touched following the incident mobilised donations including cattle.

On Friday last week, a Chronicle news crew retraced its steps to the Mpofu homestead to check on progress following the donation, which was a culmination of the story extensively covered by this paper.

Farmers from Matabeleland came together and donated the 18 cattle, feed, and a healthcare kit for the cattle.

Unfortunately, on the morning of the visit, part of the donated cattle could not be located.

When the news crew arrived at the Mpofu homestead, Mr Orderly Mpofu had gone to look for the cattle.

Gogo Janet Mpofu later arrived from a nearby homestead.

“The donated cattle are doing well and they never gave us any problem. We had a borehole drilled nearby that is where they drink including in Shangani River. One of the heifers has given birth,” she said.

“My eyesight is no longer good and I no longer go out even to the kraal these days. These boys will tell you other things, but I do not want to talk about the cattle I lost because that will result in my BP going up.”

Soon after his arrival, Mr Orderly Mpofu said: “I have been searching for them since early morning and I found part of the herd while the others are still missing. Part of the missing herd includes one that gave birth a few months back while two more are expecting.”

He said the only challenge they are facing is the outbreak of lumpy skin.

“It has affected three of them, including the bull. The disease has hit us two times hence the bull’s weight is a bit low,” said Mr Mpofu.

Lumpy skin is an infectious, eruptive, occasionally fatal disease of cattle characterised by nodules on the skin and other parts of the body.

Mr Lindani Mpofu said they last dosed the cattle against lumpy skin disease in June.

He said he also bought the fence and poles for the construction of a standard kraal and they were still waiting for the local veterinary officer to come to do demonstrations. —@themkhust.