Residents alarmed as donkey carcasses discovered in Bulawayo
Concerns have been raised by Cowdray Park residents in Bulawayo following the discovery of fresh donkey parts in the suburb. The appearance of these carcasses has sparked suspicions that the animals may have been stolen from neighbouring areas and slaughtered for their meat.
In recent times, there has been a surge in street vendors selling meat on city centre pavements. This has raised suspicions that the illicit trade in meat could be thriving, with illegal food vendors potentially selling questionable products to unsuspecting consumers.
On Sunday, residents woke up to the disturbing sight of donkey carcasses, prompting the circulation of images on WhatsApp groups to warn communities against buying unfamiliar meat.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, raised concerns about the sale of meat, particularly around the new stands area where numerous vendors operate. The meat in question bears a resemblance to beef due to its red colour, but there are suspicions that it could actually be donkey meat.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, acknowledged that they had not received any reports regarding the matter. However, he urged the public to refrain from purchasing unregulated meat products. “We have not received any report to that effect, but we urge members of the public to desist from buying meat in the streets as it is a health hazard. People should buy meat from registered butcheries,” he emphasized.
In 2017, the Veterinary Services Department issued a warning against consuming dog meat after the Bulawayo City Council discovered a homeless man, known only as Ndebele, selling dog meat obtained from carcasses found at a municipal dump site. The man had been skinning dogs that had been euthanized by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The recent discovery of donkey carcasses in Cowdray Park has raised concerns about the illegal trade in meat and the potential risks associated with consuming unregulated products. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police.
