Masvingo(Masvingo Star-New Ziana) –Some butcheries in Masvingo city are exposing residents to health risks through selling uninspected meat as they seek to maximise profits in the face of the high prices of beef.

According to the recent minutes of the Health, Housing and Environmental Services Committee, councillors expressed concern about the safety of residents since some butcheries were selling uninspected beef.

It was reported that a joint team consisting of council, the Veterinary Services Department and the Zimbabwe Republic Police officers was working flat out to control the situation.

On stray livestock in the city, it was reported that council had impounded 20 cattle which it was keeping at the Special Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) premises where each beast was attracting a fine of $20 per day.

During a recent full council meeting, mayor Collen Maboke suggested that stray cattle should be shot and the carcases fed to crocodiles as a message to the owners to take care of their animals.

Stray cattle were also causing havoc on lawns and the small gardens which residents relied on for vegetables and fruits.

New Ziana