Staff Reporter
Ministry of Health and Child Care Kwekwe District Environmental Health Officer Mary Chihombori has called on Zibagwe Rural District Council (ZRDC) to establish proper cattle slaughter facilities in rural areas to ensure public health standards are met and to ease the burden on villagers who currently travel to Kwekwe for abattoir services.
Speaking during the ZRDC Strategic Plan Workshop held in Kwekwe, Chihombori said the absence of regulated slaughter facilities in rural wards was a major health concern as it forced communities to rely on uninspected slaughter points, posing risks to consumers.
“As an environmental department, we monitor foodstuffs being consumed by citizens, including meat. According to the country’s laws, cattle must be slaughtered at inspected premises. We cannot inspect cattle slaughtered at unregulated places,” she said.
Chihombori said it was the council’s responsibility to build slaughter facilities throughout the district to ensure compliance with health regulations.
“Currently, it is a burden for villagers to take their cattle to the abattoir in Kwekwe. ZRDC must address this gap,” she added.
She also raised concerns over poor solid waste management at major business centres in the district, including Crossroads in Silobela and Joel Business Centre in Zhombe, urging the local authority to prioritise waste collection and proper disposal.
Chihombori further noted a rise in unlicensed and unclassified businesses operating at rural centres, many of which do not meet public health standards.
“We are seeing the mushrooming of unlicensed businesses which we cannot categorise as general dealers or bottle stores. Some do not meet health requirements. The council should look into this matter,” she said.
Turning to mining areas, Chihombori highlighted the growing cases of waterborne diseases due to inadequate sanitation facilities and a worrying increase in silicosis cases among mine workers who lack protective clothing.
“There is no treatment for silicosis. We appeal for stronger enforcement of health and safety measures at mines and suggest carrying out blitz inspections as done in the past,” she said.
The Zibagwe Rural District Council workshop brought together stakeholders from various government departments to review local development priorities and align them with the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (2026–2030).
