Beef consumers are at risk of eating contaminated beef after some abattoirs and butcheries are alleged to be taking advantage of an outbreak of an unknown cattle disease in some parts of the country to buy sick animals, slaughter them and then sell the proceeds.
A Bindura farmer who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com had this to say:
We are not sure what this disease is but, it is similar to malaria in human beings. We are worried that this might spread to humans through the sale of beef by those operating butcheries.
Cattle prices have decreased from around RTGS$500 to as little as 100 RTGS$ cash or RTGS$75 hard cash per beast. It is a disaster I tell you.
The mysterious disease, which some have suspect could be January disease or theileriosis has ravaged the three Mashonaland Provinces.