This is yet another blow that beef consumers and butchery owners operating in this town have suffered in less than six months. The council abattoir was closed in March because it did not meet the Meat Regulations Act and that led to shortage of beef in Selebi-Phikwe. The outbreak of measles is the first to occur this year and also comes at a time when butcheries are struggling to find their footing after the council stopped them from providing braai.
Selebi-Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) spokesperson Ogomoditse Gaokgethelwe told Mmegi in an interview that the council decided not to receive cattle at the abattoir as from September 6, until the time when it would be appropriate to do so. She explained that last Friday, eight carcasses that were received had measles and on Sunday eight carcasses that were received also had measles. Gaokgethelwe explained that they have detained the carcasses and they cannot keep on receiving more because the abattoir is full and they have even asked for assistance to keep some of them at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) cold room.
