BY SILISIWE MABALEKA LUPANE villagers at DH 42 village in Matabeleland North province are walking 15km to 20km to dip their cattle.
The villagers told Southern Eye that the long distances were now discouraging them from driving their livestock to the dip tanks.
One of the villagers, Sikhumbuzo Kunene, said: “We appeal to well-wishers to assist us with funds so that we can be able to build our own dip tanks. Tick-borne diseases are prevalent in our area and some villagers can’t afford to buy the dipping chemicals, leading to high mortality rates of our cattle.”
Kunene said households led by the elderly were the most affected because they were unable to walk long distances.
“They are failing to take their cattle to Dandanda dip tank, which is a long distance away,” he said.
Matabeleland North provincial veterinary services officer Polex Moyo said: “We have been encouraging construction of new dip tanks in areas where cattle travel long distances to the dip tanks and where the cattle population is great.”
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