FMD throws North East into life-or-death fight
Lesedi Mkhutshwa - Larona Makhaiza | Monday February 16, 2026 16:30
JAKALAS NO. 1: The economy here is already feeling the effects of the government's implementation of FMD control measures, such as monitoring and quarantine procedures, to contain the disease.
In addition, butchery business owners and employees are concerned about how these will affect their incomes, as the government has not yet disclosed whether or not there will be any subsidies.
A cook at Machepisa Butchery and Domboshaba Restaurant Bar, Utlwanang Thenjwa, expressed fear of losing the job that puts bread and butter on her table to support her kids.
'I have children who solely depend on me and some are in boarding schools. Losing my job will be the most dreadful thing ever. My salary is my only source of income at the moment,' she told Mmegi on Monday..
If the FMD situation gets worse, the situation will be bad for all people working in butcheries and restaurants, she added.
Thenjwa further expressed further concerns for the young and old people roaming the streets due to high unemployment, adding that thanks to FMD, there were now even slimmer job opportunities in the area.
She recalled her joy when she was first hired as a cook, but now those dreams are in jeopardy.
'When I first heard about the outbreak of FMD, I informed one of my colleagues that our employer might send us back home because we are no longer cooking, but because he is a loving person, he retained us,' she said.
Thenjwa said that villagers on the other hand are trembling and fearing the worst as they are in the dark.
'Most farmers are not sure if their cattle will be killed or if there will receive compensation. They are just clueless about what is going to happen,' she explained.
She said that this is not the first time they have experienced FMD, and it has crippled many lives before, left many people hopeless and caused farmers to suffer terrible losses.
Regarding business, Thenjwa said that their profit margins have since dropped because beef was their most profitable meat, unlike chicken.
She stated that the most popular meal was beef with pap or rice.
'My customers who are mostly from Zimbabwe and South Africa, enjoy beef more than chicken, so we are greatly affected,' she added.
The Managing Director of Machepisa Butchery and Domboshaba Bar and Restaurant, Tomas Shabalala, stated that his sales have dropped significantly, especially on food, and he's been forced to lay off staff.
Shabalala has 12 employees left at the butchery, bar and restaurant.
He revealed that FMD has had an impact on the business because his sales have dropped since the outbreak, particularly in the food category, where they usually aim for a 100% sales rate.
Additionally, he said that although the alcohol industry is profitable, its profit margin is quite slim.
“It won't be surprising to see chicken prices going up. “I don’t plan to go into broilers, but I’m going to purchase about 500 broilers so that my business stays afloat,” he said.
Shabalala said he understands the consequences of FMD because he experienced another outbreak while in Mahatane. One of these consequences will fall on the youth.
'I can say with certainty that Jackalas 1 has a large number of youths, primarily manual labourers who rely mainly on piece work. As things stand now, and if nothing changes, our crime rate will probably rise,' he continued.
Shabalala stressed that businesses are following the guidelines established by the government in an effort to stop the spread of FMD, but they have no idea how things will turn out.
He expressed concern that if the government does not help with any subsidy, then their businesses are doomed.
'We expect the government to help us with at least a subsidy to pay half of the employees' salaries. If I pay my employees P3,000, then the government can assist with P1,500, and then I pay the rest, which could be helpful,' he explained.
He stated that he was not affected alone, as some food street vendors are also feeling the pinch of FMD.
In addition, the businessman mentioned that FMD is a process and that social workers must be present to guide farmers through the devastating phases anytime veterinary officers are present.
According to Shabalala, having social workers on the ground makes it easier to explain things to the elderly because they don't fully comprehend.
“If they are taken step-by-step, the government will find it easier and any action they take will already be accepted by the public.”
Banangoni Jabulani, a supervisor a butchery called Francistown Nigels Cleanings Company, said there is a lack of meat everywhere in the area.
Even when the operation is able to source meat, sales are low because most customers have given up on buying beef from the butchery as they long lost hope that supplies would be available.
'The movement of people is slow to the butchery; we can go up to three hours without getting any customers,' he said.
According to Jabulani, they recently bought a “few slices of beef” from Botalaote butchery.
Beef prices are on the rise in the area, with those with stock upping their prices and forcing a snowball effect to consumers.
“The meat currently being sold by the Botswana Meat Commission costs roughly P2,500 per package which for us is pricey since selling it at retail requires price adjustments. “We are in serious difficulties since we have to pay our six employees their salaries and rent at the end of the month. 'However, in contrast to other businesses that are currently closed, we are still open and I am hoping the government can help with a subsidy so that the business can stay afloat,” Jabulani told Mmegi.
Based on his 12 years of butchery experience, the supervisor said customers prefer beef over chicken, which will eventually have a significant impact on business. Additionally, he urged government to come to the rescue as soon as possible.
“We are waiting for the two-week target they gave; they may extend it to three because things are moving slowly, but they must move faster because our employees depend on us. “Employees will take us to the labour office if we don't give them their salaries, and the officers there will support them no matter what.”