Vice President Kembo Mohadi has lost 271 cattle at his farm in Matabeleland South due to a prolonged drought.
Thousands of cattle have died in the province due to lack of pastures and drinking water. Matabeleland South provincial veterinary officer, Dr Enat Mdlongwa had this to say:
Cattle are dying and its terrible situation and when we are looking at our statistics the number of deaths is now at around 16 000 and these are recorded cases and I am convinced it’s more than that.
We … encourage farmers to grow a bit of some fodder since some parts of the province received rains so that young animals can be saved.
According to official figures, Beitbridge district has lost the highest number of cattle in Matabeleland South province with more than 4 000 deaths while Bulilima has lost 2 697, Gwanda (2 569), Insiza (2 367), Matobo (1 736), Mangwe 1 434 and Umzingwane (390).