By James Gwati- Masvingo Province has been once again hit by a new wave of cattle deaths that have left many farmers with empty pens.

According to a local NGO, Community Tolerance and Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) lack of commitment by the Government’s Veterinary Services Department -towards the prevention of the persisting theileriosis, has caused the outbreak.

Theileriosis which is caused by uncontrolled ticks killed hundreds of cattle in Chatsworth and other parts of Gutu last year.

The disease hit many districts of Masvingo Province in January 2021. The farmers say the government’s veterinary service department, which is responsible for the provision of animal and zoonotic diseases surveillance, animal health risk management, and animal health and protection has failed its mandate.