Venice Mine residents vexed by unpenned pigs

Zim Now Writer

Management of Venice Mine in Mhondoro Ngezi has warned residents within its premises and surrounding areas to clear out their roaming pigs by June 30 or face legal repercussions.

In a written notice with copies stuck around the area, management has ordered pig owners to “Ensure the removal of the said pigs from Venice HDV not later than 30 June, 2024”.

The mine has indicated that it would take the matter up with relevant authorities to deal with any resistance to its directive.

“Assistance will be sought from the Veterinary Services Department, the police and local traditional leadership to clear out ALL pigs that will be found in the compound after 30 June, 2024,” reads the notice.

A source at the mine told Zim Now that they have already engaged some stakeholders and any pigs spotted after the deadline will be shot on sight.

In an interview, one of the local leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the pigs posed a health hazard with fears that they could trigger a cholera crisis.

"Pigs are just dirty by nature. They wallow and eat in the sewers then move around the compound, spreading germs and diseases everywhere. They sniff our dishes which will be drying.

“We leave food for our children by the fireside. And the pigs will come sniffing around. When the kids come from school, they will be hungry and just eat that food not knowing that pigs would have been putting their disgusting mouths on the food and the plates,” said the local leader.

Another resident said many people are now suffering from unexplained respiratory illnesses and are afraid that maybe it is swine flu.

Another resident said when the notice went up, the pig owners have been threatening residents, accusing them of reporting to management.

“The situation is quite tense. Those who own pigs think that we are suffering from envy. In the evenings you can hear them shouting out that they will deal with the sell-outs. So now, we are afraid to talk about the issue openly. But they must also be considerate of others,” said the resident.

Another resident said that the pig owners are facing challenges with stock feeds because of the drought so that is why they are letting their pigs roam freely.

“Pigs eat a lot. And in a year where there is no harvest, most people cannot afford to buy shop stock feeds. So, they are letting the pigs out to look for food,” he said.

A resident, who denied owning any pigs himself, said some of the pigs were from the compound while the rest trekked in from surrounding farms and villages.