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Hwange villagers losing cattle to tick borne disease

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BY AWAKHIWE KHUMALO 

Hwange villagers have expressed frustration over what they say is failure by authorities to tackle mass cattle deaths, which they say began as far back as 2019.

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The villagers from the Chief Mvuthu area said they were told that their cattle were succumbing to the heart water disease, but no concrete steps have been taken by the Veterinary Services Department to curb the disease since then.

Heart water disease affects wild animals and livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats.

It is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia ruminantium and is spread by ticks.

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The disease causes death of the infected animals and is widespread in African countries, including Zimbabwe.

Farmers across Zimbabwe have been losing cattle in large numbers due to tick borne diseases as a result of irregular dipping patterns.

Given Moyo, the councillor for Kachechete, told VicFallsLive that a number of villagers in his area had seen their entire herd being wiped out by the mysterious disease.

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“This disease started spreading in 2019 and it killed a lot of cattle during that year, “Moyo said.

“It resurfaced again in 2020, causing some serious havoc and again in 2021 it caused the same damage.

“It is also killing a lot of cattle this year and l am one of those, who had their herds wiped out by the disease.

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“The cattle become sick for only a few days and they die. Some die within a day of falling sick.”

Ntandoyenkosi Gumede, a Kachechete villager, said last month he lost four herd of cattle within days.

“We have been losing cattle every week as villagers and last month, l lost four of my cows in a space of two weeks,” Gumede said.

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“This disease usually affects one area for a certain period, before spreading to another area.”

Moyo bemoaned lack of action by the authorities despite numerous distress calls by villagers.

“We reported this matter to the veterinary services and a representative came to assess the situation

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“He came to the conclusion that it was the heart water disease that was causing the deaths,” he added.

“We were not satisfied by the way he handled the matter because he did not take any blood  samples  to a science lab to find out what is really killing our cattle.

“The conclusion was based on assumptions and no action was taken after that.”

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Moyo suspects the cattle could be victims of diseases transmitted from wild animals that roam free in the area.

“We strongly suspect that the cattle are getting these diseases from wild animals,” the councillor said. “At the pastures they regularly come across buffaloes, lions and other wild animals.”

The Veterinary Services Department in Hwange said it was yet to receive reports about the cattle deaths.

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National

“We are losing ground”: Counsellors’ demotivation threatens Zimbabwe’s HIV gains

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The men and women who have been at the heart of Zimbabwe’s fight against HIV — the primary health counsellors — say their morale has hit rock bottom as they continue to work without job security, inconsistent pay, and uncertain futures.

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These counsellors, stationed across hospitals and clinics countrywide, form the backbone of the country’s HIV prevention and treatment programme. They handle testing, counselling, and patient follow-ups — ensuring those on antiretroviral therapy stay in care and that new infections are detected early.

But as Hwange West legislator Vusumuzi Moyo warned in Parliament, the system supporting these essential workers is “crumbling quietly.”

“Their salaries have been very erratic, sometimes going for months without pay,” Moyo told VicFallsLive after his parliamentary question to the Minister of Health and Child Care. “These people are the heartbeat of HIV management. They’re paid from the Global Fund, but payments have not been consistent, and the government has taken too long to incorporate them into the civil service.”

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Currently, the counsellors are funded under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) — a donor mechanism that has kept thousands of Zimbabwean health posts afloat for years.

However, global aid shifts, including the ripple effects of the U.S. administration’s restrictions on foreign aid, have made their positions increasingly vulnerable.

Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora confirmed during a recent parliamentary session that staff bids had been submitted to Treasury for approval to absorb counsellors into the government payroll.

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He said that while donor funding has decreased, both the U.S. Government and Global Fund have continued to prioritise support for human resources at primary healthcare level.

Still, for many of the counsellors — and for communities relying on them — the wait has been too long.

Moyo painted a grim picture of what’s happening in hospitals.

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“If you go to referral hospitals like Forrester, you’ll find that about 90% of male ward patients are people who have defaulted on treatment,” he said. “It’s because counsellors are no longer motivated. They used to follow up with patients, call them if they missed visits, and make sure they stayed in care. But now, with no pay or recognition, there’s no incentive to keep doing that work.”

He warned that the country’s AIDS-related deaths are rising again, undoing the progress Zimbabwe had made in reducing HIV prevalence.

“Our statistics had been improving — even other countries were benchmarking our model. But now, it’s as if we’re back to the old days. You see people sick again, wards filling up, and that speaks to a system that’s failing quietly,” Moyo added.

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Zimbabwe has long been recognised as one of Africa’s HIV success stories, cutting its national prevalence from over 26% in the early 2000s to around 11% today, according to research studies. Much of that progress was driven by a strong network of community-based counsellors who ensured people were tested, treated, and supported.

 

 

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Bulawayo mourns Nkulumane MP and poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The City of Bulawayo has expressed deep sorrow following the death of Nkulumane MP and acclaimed poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo, who died in a car accident early Friday morning near Shangani.

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In a condolence message issued by Town Clerk Christopher Dube on behalf of the Mayor, Senator David Coltart, councillors, and residents, the city described Moyo as “an iconic leader, poet par excellence, and creative who strove to champion the arts in Bulawayo and beyond.”

Moyo, who was affectionately known as Moyoxide, was praised for his commitment to the city’s artistic and civic development. The statement highlighted his impact through his multiple roles — as a Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, a community leader, and a poet who spoke out against injustices while advocating for progress.

“He positively impacted the city through his roles as a leader and poet who challenged all for the development of Bulawayo and the country,” read part of the statement.

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The City of Bulawayo also extended its condolences to the Moyo family, the Bulawayo community, and the nation at large.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement added.

The city further wished a speedy recovery to other CCC legislators who were injured in the same accident — Honourables Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda.

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National

CCC legislators in road accident, Nkulumane MP dies

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BY STAFF REPORTER

One Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator has died while four others were seriously injured in a road accident that occurred early Friday morning near Shangani along Bulawayo-Harare highway.

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CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi confirmed the accident, saying it happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. when the vehicle carrying the members collided with an elephant.

“The vehicle hit an elephant along the Shangani area, and unfortunately Honourable Desire Moyo, the Member of Parliament for Ngulumane, died on the scene,” Nkwananzi said.

He added that the other occupants — Honourable Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Honourable Sethulo Ndebele, and Libion Sibanda — sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Bulawayo.

Nkwananzi said he was deeply shocked by Moyo’s death, as he had met him just yesterday in Harare.

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“I had seen Moyo yesterday and we spent about an hour chatting outside Jamieson Hotel about the party and our future plans for national development,” he said. “I’m gutted by his passing. It’s a huge loss for the party.”

He conveyed his condolences to the Moyo family and wished a speedy recovery and strength to the families of the other CCC members who remain in critical condition.

He said further details, including the name of the hospital where the injured are receiving treatment, would be released once confirmed.

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