VILLAGERS in Nathisa in Matopo district, Matabeleland South, have lost close to 20 livestock to the cold spell that hit the region recently.

BY LUYANDUHLOBO MAKWATI

Village head Timothy Ndlovu told Southern Eye that besides lack of pastures, livestock was succumbing to the chilly weather.

“We lost a lot of beasts last week due to the cold weather, we are worried that if the situation continues we are likely to lose more of our wealth,” he said.

Ndlovu said lack of pastures also exposed their livestock to starvation, adding the villagers cannot afford to buy supplementary stockfeed.

In May, Agriculture deputy minister (livestock) Paddy Zhanda urged Matabeleland South Province farmers to destock in view of the shortage of grazing land.

Matobo is in Natural Region Five, which traditionally receives below average to low rainfall, making it one of the driest parts of the country.

One of the villagers, Zenzo Ncube, expressed fears that if the cold spell continued, most farmers would lose their livestock.