Stray pigs are causing destruction and have become an intolerable nuisance in Hwange, Matabeleland North with authorities expressing fears that their presence in communities may trigger an outbreak of zoonotic diseases.
Hwange local board acting town secretary, Paulos Mabhureni, said the local authority was worried about the ever-increasing population of stray pigs in its jurisdiction.
“These pigs are becoming a nuisance to residents as they are destructive in nature,” Mabhureni said.
"These pigs are reared in the bushes close to residential areas and constantly stray into homes, while some of the owners even have the audacity to build backyard pigsties.”
Mabhureni expressed fears of a potential outbreak of animal-to-human diseases.
"The fact that they find their way into homes also poses a great danger as they are likely to devour toddlers that will have been left unattended,” he said. “There is also danger of a zoonotic disease outbreak emanating from these pigs.”
He said the local board would be forced to shoot the stray pigs as a control measure.
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