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Own Correspondent
Rural communities in Matabeleland South have raised calls of despondency following the depletion of water sources and grazing plains which has resulted in the death of livestock which include cattle and donkeys. The prevailing harsh climatic conditions have precipitated an erratic start to the 2023/2024 rainy season currently being experienced in most parts of the country. Zimbabwe is currently at the peak of the ongoing strong El Nino event which is driving below-average rainfall across much of Southern Africa.
According to villagers from Gohole in Matobo District, the situation is dire as dozens of cattle succumb to the crisis in an attempt to drink water from the muddy ponds that are inside the local dam. Feluna Ncube, Proportional Representation Councillor for Gohole in Matobo Ward 20, explains the severity of the crisis with no sight to an end as the dry conditions are worsening by the day.
“We are receiving daily reports of cattle dying from being trapped in the muddy pools of Gohole dam. As if it’s not enough some of our cattle are succumbing to starvation as grazing areas have been depleted and we are losing hope by the day”, said Feluna Ncube.
Villagers from Sigangatsha in Matobo Ward 6 have also not been spared from the devastating effects of the prevailing dry weather conditions as they are losing cattle on an hourly basis, especially those in calf.
“We are involuntarily slaughtering our cattle every day, especially the ones in the calf. Once a cow in calf drops to the ground, chances of raising it to stand on its feet again are slim and we are left with no option but to slaughter”, said Mary Mhlanga, a member of the Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Team from Matobo Ward 6.
Meanwhile, as a coping strategy, villagers from Madlambudzi in Bulilima Ward 11 have since resorted to fetching water through abstraction to water their cattle from household water containers.
“The livestock situation is critical; we have resorted to watering our livestock by filling up large dishes with water dug from the basin of the dam,’’ said Silindeni Nleya who is a member of the Madlambudzi dam committee. Bulilima district has not been spared from the adverse weather conditions that have since claimed hundreds of cattle, the plight of villagers has also been worsened by wildlife raids. Hyena invasions are on the rise compounding livestock losses as the animals are too weak to escape from attacks by these predators.
The climate change-induced weather phenomena have collided with worsening economic conditions coupled with a weak climate governance framework much to the detriment of local communities. The limited adaptation measures to the climate crisis are threatening to severely affect not only the household economic base but also have ripple effects on the local and national economy. Matabeleland South holds a highly significant portion of the country’s national head, hence the need for urgent attention to the crisis.