BLOW TO FARMERS: DROUGHT KILLS 170 CATTLE

LUBULINI – Disaster!

This resonates with the suffering of farmers from four communities, who have lost 170 cattle due to drought. In a space of five months, four communities; namely Mcocwane, Sinyamantulwa, Bhadlane and Lugaganeni, lost a combined  170 cattle due to the drought, as the rivers and dams have dried up, as a result of the persistent dry spell. When these communities were visited over the weekend, it was established that some of the rivers and dams had dried up, while other communities have no rivers and water supply.

Noteworthy is that bones and carcasses of cattle were found in the veld in these communities. It was also established that some of the cattle died while trying to drink from some of the drying streams and dams. A resident of Bhadlane, Mahlathini Matse, lost a herd of 49 cattle due to the drought. Another resident, Mzileni Dludlu, lost 15 cattle. Dumsile Shongwe from the same community also lost 15. At Lugaganeni, Nduku Nhleko lost 16 cattle, while Bakhetsile Shongwe also suffered a loss of 10 cattle. Interviewed about this tragedy, community members collectively expressed their suffering, as they survive through selling their livestock to raise money for their families. They further urged government to intervene and make means of compensating the farmers.

A resident of Bhadlane, Phineas Dludlu, shared that he lost four cows and his brother also suffered a loss of 12 cattle due to the drought. Phineas stated that government is moving slowly in addressing the issue of water shortage in the affected communities. He said government is supposed to build dams to mitigate the situation, as more cattle will die as a result of the scarcity of water and grass.

The aggrieved resident pointed out that some families have managed to buy hay in bales and also arranged water tanks to supply water for their livestock. “It is painful to lose your livestock due to natural disasters, as we tried to engage and involve government to ensure that more dams are constructed in these communities, but so far, nothing has been done to mitigate and remedy the situation,” he said.

Adding, the resident mentioned that officers from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have visited the communities recently to assess the situation and promised to return for a meeting with the affected farmers. He went on to state that the farmers have requested that government compensate those who have lost their cattle, so that they could be able to survive and take care of their families. “We have been told that they will be meeting the affected farmers to find a lasting solution to this matter. Government should come forth and construct dams as well as boreholes in these communities hit hard by drought,” Phineas said.

Also sharing the same sentiments was Jimson Dludlu of Sinyamantulwa, who indicated that he has lost over 10 cattle due to the drought. The resident described the situation as a disaster, on the basis that more cattle are still dying due to the shortage of water and grass. He pointed out that government should fast-track the process of building dams for the affected communities. “It’s a huge blow for us farmers as we earn a living through selling our livestock to pay school fees for our children and to buy food for our families. We urge government to compensate us, so that we can be able to take care of our families,” Jimson said.

Echoing the sentiments of the affected farmers, Ntunthwakazi Bucopho Bonginkosi Mabaso also described the situation as a catastrophe, as more cattle will die if government does not take immediate measures to remedy the situation, by constructing more dams in the affected communities. Mabaso said the farmers have reported the matter to the Lubulini Inkhundla Council. According to the bucopho, they further involved NDMA and they are expecting a feedback meeting soon. Moreover, he highlighted that the cattle are subjected to walk for 14km to get water from some of the dams and rivers and fail to reach their destination due to being weary and hungry.

Shortage

Mabaso shared that 52 cattle reportedly died at Esihlahleni Sendvodza, while 35 died at Lugaganeni. He pointed out that the big issue is shortage of dams and rivers in these communities, hence government has to fast-track the process of constructing dams to collect water during the summer season. The bucopho went to state that some of the cattle died along their way to Esicelweni, where there is a pond. He mentioned that some of the farmers were unable to collect the carcasses of their cattle, as some died malnourished.

“I am optimistic that government, through NDMA, will do something about the plight of the farmers. They have greatly been affected by losing their stock through the drought. We appeal that more dams be constructed, so that in future, the cattle can be able to drink water in a closer area than walking long distances,” he said.

Mabaso stated that the office of the NDMA has assured the farmers that a feedback meeting will be convened soon with the affected farmers. He indicated that he is currently collecting and compiling data of the affected farmers, so that it could be presented to the NDMA officials during the proposed meeting. “We are praying to God that the farmers be compensated, so that they could be able to buy hay and also drill boreholes for their cattle. The situation is so dire as most of the farmers are people who survive through selling their livestock to earn a living. It is unfortunate that this is a natural disaster, but it could have been prevented if government had constructed dams on time,” the bucopho opined.

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