Zimbabwe is holding bilateral talks with Botswana over the killing of stray cattle that cross into the neighbouring country, Parliament has heard.
The discussions follow concerns over the loss of Zimbabwean livestock under Botswana’s reported shoot-to-kill policy targeting cattle that stray across the border.
The issue was raised in the National Assembly by MP George Mashavave, who asked the government to clarify its policy on stray cattle from neighbouring countries that enter Zimbabwe.
On this topic
“We have lost a substantive number of cattle under a shoot-to kill Botswana policy on all stray cattle, which enter into their territory. What is our policy regarding stray cattle from our sister neighbouring country that encroach on our territory,” he said.
Responding, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the government was engaging its Botswana counterparts to find a lasting solution, particularly along the Plumtree-Botswana border.
“It is indeed very correct that at some point this was very prevalent but we are having bilateral negotiations with our counterparts and we believe we are going to reach an agreement so that this does not occur,” he said.
Ziyambi said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, was leading efforts to resolve the matter.
“Basically, we are the same people, those across and those on this other side. So, we believe that we need to find each other through our bilateral relations,” he said.
The minister did not outline the measures being considered or indicate when an agreement could be reached.
The outcome of the talks will be significant for communities along the border, where livestock losses can affect farmers’ livelihoods and household incomes.
The issue has previously been highlighted by CITE in a report on a Plumtree farmer who had waited eight years for compensation after losing livestock in a fire.
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