Online Reporter
Yoliswa Moyo and Theseus Shambare
MOVEMENT restrictions, quarantine measures, and prophylactic vaccinations now dominate conversations among livestock farmers in Matabeleland South province. What was once the gentle rhythm of rural life has been replaced by an anxious choreography of caution, as farmers navigate a crisis that has unsettled the very heartbeat of their cattle-rearing traditions.
The province is battling to contain a foot and mouth disease outbreak that has affected four districts: Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo and Gwanda, placing over 300 000 cattle under quarantine and effectively shutting them out of local, regional, and international markets for live animals and their products. The scale of it all hangs heavily in the air — a silent pall stretching across the grazing lands, where the usual lowing of cattle now carries an undertone of uncertainty.
Anxiety is mounting among farmers as they struggle to control the spread of the disease while absorbing significant losses driven by high morbidity rates and declining milk and meat production. The once predictable cycles of livestock rearing have become a tense waiting game, with every sunrise bringing new worries and every sunset offering little comfort.
Without vaccination, farmers said it is no longer business as usual for them as the disease threatens their herds.
“I used to supply meat to butcheries, but now my hands are tied. It has become cumbersome just to have cattle slaughtered because of the restrictions put in place to contain FMD. A lot of health checks and inspections have to be done before you’re cleared,” said Mr Vincent Mpofu, a livestock farmer from Gwanda. His frustration mirrors that of countless others whose livelihoods now sway on the fragile thread of veterinary declarations.
He said due to these restrictions, cattle cannot be moved around, which has slowed down his operations.
“My bull is now old, and I had wanted to trade it in for a stronger one so that I can grow my herd, but I can’t do that now because of the movement restrictions,” he said.
His words capture the helplessness of a farmer caught between ambition and immovable barriers. Another farmer,
Mr Zwelithini Dube from Figtree, is still reeling from the loss of his calves to FMD.
“Three of my calves were affected by the disease, and unfortunately, they didn’t make it. I’m still devastated from the loss. I had to watch as the calves were incinerated. That was my children’s inheritance that I lost, just like that. This disease needs to be contained once and for all,” said Mr Dube.
Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious and devastating viral disease affecting cattle and other cloven hoofed animals. Its symptoms include high fever, excessive drooling, blisters on the tongue, lips, teats and between the hooves leading to lameness, reduced appetite and drastic drops in milk production. To farmers, these signs are not mere textbook descriptions but physical manifestations of heartbreak walking on four trembling legs.
The virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals, exposure to their saliva, milk, urine, faeces or vesicle fluid, and even via contaminated equipment, vehicles, or clothing. Wildlife, particularly buffalo, can also carry the virus and transmit it to livestock. In certain conditions, the virus can survive for weeks in cool, moist environments, making containment challenging and requiring stringent biosecurity measures. Its control relies on strict quarantine, movement control and vaccination — a triad of measures now shaping daily life.
As part of efforts to contain the disease, Zimbabwe and Botswana will next month launch a co-ordinated bilateral vaccination campaign along their shared border to curb its spread, authorities have confirmed. A rare moment of cross-border harmony emerges against the backdrop of crisis, reminding all that livestock diseases know no boundaries and respect no fences.
The disease has been reported in Bulilima, Tsholotsho, Matobo, Gwanda and Mangwe districts, prompting urgent interventions by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS). Speaking on the sidelines of Bushu Dip Tank celebrations in Shamva on Thursday, Chief Director of the DVS, Dr Pious Makaya, said the initiative will help Zimbabwe achieve its livestock sector growth targets.
“Indeed, we have an outbreak; however, with Botswana, we will be rolling out a bilateral rollout with each country vaccinating its border lying areas to ensure we completely manage the spread once and for all. More chemicals are on the way,” said Dr Makaya.
The Bushu Dip Tank in Shamva has recently undergone significant rehabilitation as part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen livestock dipping infrastructure nationwide. Upgrades included the drilling and solarisation of a borehole to ensure a consistent water supply for livestock and the surrounding community, as well as the refurbishment of the dipping facility itself to improve access and efficiency. The transformation of this small but vital facility stands as a symbol of resilience — a reminder that progress can still bloom in the shadow of adversity.
The project, supported by the Chinese Agricultural Expert Group, forms part of a wider effort to enhance disease control, particularly against tick-borne diseases, by modernising over 4 200 dip tanks across the country and improving the availability of acaricides for farmers. He stressed the importance of diversifying vaccine procurement to ensure quality, safety and competitive pricing.
“We are engaging multiple suppliers to ensure our livestock receive effective protection. The Botswana Vaccine Institute remains our main FMD vaccine producer, and the recent launch of a new vaccine in South Africa will strengthen disease control across the region,” he said.
Dr Makaya also highlighted intensified patrols and community based surveillance to intercept illegal night movements that bypass veterinary checkpoints and roadblocks.
“We are leaving no stone unturned. Controlling FMD requires both scientific intervention and vigilant monitoring of cattle movements,” he said.
Zimbabwe has secured 1,2 million FMD vaccine doses, with movement restrictions and quarantine measures already in place in hotspot areas.
“Livestock sustains more than 67 percent of our population and serves as both a primary income source and a vital safety net against climate-related shocks. Partnerships like the one with China are critical in building resilience, improving productivity and safeguarding rural livelihoods,” Dr Makaya said.
The Government aims to grow the national herd from 5,7 million recorded in late 2025 to 12 million by 2034, in line with Vision 2030 targets. Officials say this growth depends on robust disease control systems and improved feed formulations, particularly in drought-prone areas. On the wildlife livestock interface, Dr Makaya said buffalo-to-cattle contact remains the primary driver of FMD outbreaks.
“Completion of the Gonarezhou National Park FMD game fence is underway, and we are planning similar interventions in Hwange. Cattle buffalo separation, relocation of wildlife and awareness campaigns on biosecurity are critical to stopping disease transmission,” he said.
Chinese Agricultural Expert Group representative, Zhao Ke, said agriculture remains a key anchor of the economy that requires continued investment.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe, and China remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s livestock sector through technology and skills transfer. Whenever the country needs assistance, we are there to ensure that the set targets are achieved on the ground,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s livestock sector, valued at over US$2 billion and contributing about 20 percent to the agricultural gross domestic product, is central to national economic growth. Authorities say that with cross-border co-operation, proactive vaccination, and strengthened partnerships, the country is taking decisive steps to contain FMD and secure the future of its herd.
