MASIKILI – Notwitstanding the prevailing drought in the country, considered the worst in the past 30 years, one farmer was visited with yet another calamity last weekend causing him to lose 33 cows.
Zambwe Charles Ndana lost 33 of his cattle worth over N$100 000 last weekend after a deadly crop pesticide was mistaken for a pesticide that rids cattle of ticks. The deadly mix-up took place at Masikili some 70 kilometres outside Katima Mulilo the regional capital. In an effort meant to deal with a persistent tick problem that infested his cattle, Ndana told his younger brother to spray his cattle with a chemical he had bought for that purpose. But the correct tick pesticide was not enough for the first batch of cattle and this prompted the younger brother to search for more of the tick killer, which led him to the crop pesticide that resembled the tick pesticide. Without thinking twice about it, the young brother proceeded to bundle all cattle in a crush pen before spraying all of them for ticks with the wrong chemical. The result was that Ndana’s cattle started dropping one after the other not far from the crush pen, all of them with swollen abdomens.
The younger brother, in total disbelief alerted Ndana who called the department of veterinary services in for assistance. “The cattle just started falling one by one from the crush pen. Its only later that we realised the chemical we were spraying was meant for vegetables and fruits,” said Ndana’s brother who was also horrified. Ndana said 32 of his cattle died immediately after being administered with the wrong pesticide and one died yesterday even though some of his remaining cattle are still showing signs of weakness. “Thirty-two of my cattle died on Saturday and one died yesterday (Monday). I have a total of 92 cattle and so far 33 have died,” said the despondent Ndana. Ndana who was shaken by the loss is still uncertain about the survival of the calves, left behind by the dead cows. He was however assured by the department of veterinary services that his remaining cattle may survive since they have already responded well to treatment. “The veterinary department said the remaining cattle may survive, but as I speak to you now two are still very weak. My calves also lost their mothers. I am very disturbed right now, I had to go to the hospital to be treated because my blood pressure is very high,” he said.
Meanwhile, a source in the department of veterinary services who preferred anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the media said the chance for Ndana’s remaining cattle to survive is very good, since treatment administered to them seemed to have worked. “When we got there on Saturday, the cattle were just lying down, some even failing to walk but now it’s different. They seem to have responded well to the treatment,” said the official. Repeated attempts to get further comment from the veterinary services department regarding their findings at the scene, particularly whether the cause of death was indeed a crop pesticide proved futile as those entrusted to speak to the media did not answer phone calls.
By George Sanzila