Some of the illegal pesticides sold contain zinc phosphide and aldicarb, greyish black granules-commonly referred to as “wemakonzo”.
Source: ZBC
The Pesticides Registrar in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development, Mr Kwadzanai Mushore has warned consumers not buy pesticides on the streets as they contain harmful chemicals that cause chronic illness.
A new breed of salesmen with hailer horns marketing pesticides which they claim can do wonders in controlling rats, cockroaches and ants has hit the streets of Harare.
The sales are, however, illegal as they violate provisions of the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds and Remedies Act Chapter 18.12 of 1996 and Statutory Instrument 144 of 2012 on pesticides regulations.
Mr Mushore said the pesticides are unsuitable for home use, adding that approved chemicals are sold only by companies and outlets registered by his office which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development.
“We will have a blitz on the illegal vendors and we just want to encourage members of the public not to buy those chemicals,” said Mr Mushore.
Some of the illegal pesticides sold contain zinc phosphide and aldicarb, greyish black granules-commonly referred to as “wemakonzo”.
These are restricted use pesticides and are for agricultural use only and not for the home.
People chronically exposed to small amounts of zinc phosphide have reported weakness, anemia, tooth ache, necrosis of the jaw bones, weight loss, and spontaneous fractures.
Zinc phosphide also causes symptoms such as coughing, diarrhoea, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and burning sensations.