ABOUT 2 000 cattle have died in Masvingo province in past few months because of drought, anthrax and black leg diseases, throwing the government's efforts to replenish the national herd into disarray, The Standard has established.

Masvingo's provincial herd is estimated at 8 000 cattle.

Apart from diseases and drought, the national restocking programme has also been derailed by the shortage of foreign currency and fuel currently affecting the country.

Masvingo provincial veterinary services director, Charity Sibanda, confirmed last week that drought and foreign currency were impacting negatively on the acquisition of vaccines.

"The major problem is the critical shortage of water as most boreholes are dry, down or malfunctioning and something must be done urgently," said Sibanda.

She added, "The acute shortage of foreign currency is inhibiting us from addressing the situation because we are not able to go and vaccinate the cattle."

Drought alone has so far claimed 909 cattle in Masvingo while Anthrax claimed138 beasts. Black leg killed 789 cattle in all the seven districts of the province.

The areas affected most by drought and anthrax were in Zaka where 514 cattle died in a space of three months. Black leg disease is most prevalent in Bikita.

Drought claimed 513 cattle in Zaka, 202 in Chivi, 80 in Chiredzi, Gutu 24, Masvingo 40, and 50 reportedly died in Mwenezi.