Farmers Still Selling January Disease-infected Cattle To Harare Middlemen
Residents of Harare and Chitungwiza risk consuming meat from cattle that have died from January Disease or Theileriosis, a rare tick-borne disease that has wreaked havoc in Mashonaland East province.
Many cattle have died from the disease with farmers selling the diseased cattle to middlemen in order to avoid a total loss.
Police from Marondera recently intercepted a five-man group in a pickup truck coming from Wedza with six cattle carcasses destined for Harare.
It was established that the five men were from Glen Norah high-density suburb.
The incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East police spokesperson, Inspector Tendai Mwanza, who said:
Investigations revealed that the cattle had died of theileriosis and the suspects bought the meat for resale in Harare.
The meat was condemned as unsuitable for human consumption by health inspectors and was destroyed accordingly. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.
The men were later released when police investigations revealed that they had bought the cattle.
According to a report, farmers in some parts of Mashonaland East are selling their infected livestock for as low as US$50 from market-related prices of above US$250.
See photo of police with beast carcass parts.
