Story by Providence Maraneli
ZIMBABWE and Botswana have pledged to strengthen cooperation in the fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which continues to threaten the region’s beef industry and rural livelihoods.
The commitment was made during a Joint Bilateral Meeting held at the Mlambapele/Mabolwe Border Post on Monday, where officials from both countries reviewed ongoing cross-border disease control measures.
At the Shashe River border, uncontrolled livestock movement remains a key driver of FMD transmission, prompting renewed efforts to tighten surveillance and coordination.
Under the Binational Agreement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has established forward bases along the border to curb stock theft and other cross-border crimes. Community anti-stock theft committees, known as Mopato in Botswana’s Bobirwa District and Matabeleland South in Zimbabwe, are also supporting enforcement efforts by monitoring illegal livestock movements.
Acting Officer Commanding Matabeleland South for the ZRP, Assistant Commissioner Cosmas Masepa, said strengthened community policing has improved cross-border crime control, particularly stock theft, and called for deeper cooperation to eliminate the problem.
“These community policing initiatives, which are replicated in both countries, have made it possible for police to fight cross-border crimes. Cooperation between our two countries should be enhanced so that we can totally eradicate cases of stock theft,” he said.
As part of the disease control strategy, Botswana has donated 100 000 doses of Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines to Zimbabwe.
Botswana Minister of State for Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, said the fight against FMD requires shared responsibility.
“It’s not about being neighbours; it’s about having common interests. The vaccines we have donated are meant to help end Foot-and-Mouth Disease. If Zimbabwe controls FMD, Botswana is safe, and if Botswana controls it, Zimbabwe also benefits,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Henry Mukonoweshuro, said the livestock sector remains central to both economies but is under threat from recurrent outbreaks.
“Our governments recognise that the livestock industry is more than an economic sector; it is the backbone of rural livelihoods and a key component of cultural heritage,” he said.
He added that coordinated vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, synchronised veterinary patrols and improved livestock traceability systems are critical to containing the disease.
Zimbabwe has already rolled out large-scale vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas such as Masvingo and Matabeleland South, with more than 72 000 cattle vaccinated in border communities under the binational programme.
