Lumezi butcheries defy meat ban

BUTCHERIES in Lumezi District, in Eastern Province, have reportedly defied the government instructions to stop selling meat to combat the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth disease in the area.
A concerned Lumezi resident complained to the Sun that she was shocked that some butcheries in the district had still continued to sell meat products despite the ban.
Evelyn Nkhata, a teacher at Lumezi Day Secondary School, observed that the health inspectors were clear on the dangers of eating infected meat and that people should take heed.
“It is shocking that some butcheries have still continued to sell meat when the council had banned it. This is serious because some people may get infected and die,” said Ms Nkhata.
But the meat traders have said that selling meat was their only way of survival and that the authorities should also understand that all their animals were certified as healthy before they were slaughtered.
Maloto Njobvu, a meat trader in Lumezi, said he was aware of the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak but that he needed to sell in order to feed his family.
“Where would I get the money to feed my family if I don’t sell meat? What will I eat?” he queried.