Treasury must release funding urgently to fight Capytusrosea weed, which destroys both land and livestock, Petronella Shoko, the Director for Environmental Protection with the Environmental Management Authority, recently told a Parliamentary Committee.
EMA requested for $2.5 million dollars from the Ministry of Finance for the fight, but nothing has been released yet. The weed hinders growth of native vegetation including pastures and cause wounds and blindness in animals.
“Eleven people have received medical treatment after being affected by the weed,” Shoko said, highlighting that the plant, which grows some two metres high, was causing havoc in Beitbridge, Gwanda, Insiza and Bulilimangwe.
The seeds stick to animals, human and birds and are also spread by wind. The plant is known by locals as ‘muloyi’ (witch). It originated in the USA and was introduced into Zimbabwe as an ornamental flower and hedge.
“Given the harmfulness of the plant people would put on protective clothing and use long forks among other tools to cut and bury the weed in trenches. The exercise is labour intensive,” Aaron Chigona, EMA director Environmental Services, told the committee.
Some 400 hectares of land have been cleared of the weed by some 1,500 locals working in rotational groups. A capytusrosea eating weevil first discovered at a farm in Bubi and suspected to have crossed from South Africa is assisting locals fight the weed.
Anastancia Ndhlovu, chairperson Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, promised EMA that her committee would look into concerns raised and find how best it could assist.
Post published in: News