The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
AN ODZI livestock breeder was recently left counting his losses after 15 of his goats died mysteriously, before fellow villagers went on to steal some of the carcases and feast on the meat.
Narrating the sad ordeal to The Weekender, Mr Donald Masvaure of Arda Tsansau, Odzi, said his goats died in unexplained circumstances last Thursday.
He said he is yet to come to terms with the loss of 15 of his 34 goats and the disappearance of six carcasses.
“Around sunset, my goats began trickling back home from the pastures. To everyone’s shock, one by one the goats begun dropping dead. Another shocker awaited us later that evening as six of the carcasses were stolen.
“We suspect that some villagers feasted on the goats despite our suspicions that they had succumbed to poisoning.
“Before the disappearance of the six carcases, some villagers had suggested that the goat meat, except for the offals, could be consumed. Little did I know that they were planning to steal the carcases.
“After the theft there were footprints in my yard but we did not bother tracking the suspects,” said Mr Masvaure.
He described the incident as a major blow to his goat farming venture.
Ms Shaleen Manyika, a fellow villager, said the goats’ sudden death was shocking as no other goats died, including those that had been in the company of Mr Masvaure’s goats.
“We suspect that someone jealousy poisoned Mr Masvaure’s goats. Maybe the goats were separated before being poisoned. That is the only reasonable explanation because the goats graze together,” said Ms Manyika.
Mutare Rural District Council Ward Three Councillor Moses Mujaji called for an investigation into the matter.
“It is a tragic loss to Mr Masvaure. If someone poisoned the goats, that person should be brought to book,” he said.
The matter was reported to the police, but no arrests have been made so far.
In the event of an arrest, the perpetrator will be charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Animal cruelty, including poisoning, attracts a hefty fine under the Act.
Section Three of the Act states that any person who commits an offence shall be “liable to a fine not exceeding Level Five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
