Butcher men of Mwanza have been urged to exercise patience until the ban effected on livestock slaughter and movement in the district is over.

Veterinary Surgeon, Dr John Kothowa made the call during an interface meeting between Blantyre Livestock and Agricultural Development Division (BLADD) officials and Mwanza butcher men representatives at Mwanza District Council offices on Wednesday.

“Let me ask all stakeholders in all districts under BLADD and Mwanza in particular that were affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease to comply with the law until the ban is lifted by government so that livestock in the concerned districts are protected,” said Kothowa.

According to Kothowa, there are no new reports of outbreak cases of the disease in Mwanza since the ban was effected in Mwanza in May, this year.

He then hailed police and stakeholders for their effort to ensure that the law on the ban is enforced.

The call comes in against the request by the butcher men in the district who on Tuesday this week stormed the council offices asking the council to lift the ban so that their animal slaughtering business could resume in the district.

The group’s representative, Ganizani Njovu said they were now clear on the matter as it was for the greater good.

“We have no choice but to comply with the law despite the challenges we now have to find our daily needs due to the ban,” said Njovu.

The ban prevents slaughtering and unnecessary movement of livestock into and outside of the affected areas.

It can be lifted 90 days after last diagnosis to prevent further transmission of the disease to uninfected livestock such as cattle, goats and pigs in other areas.