Several cattle farmers in the Zambezi Region are seeking answers after they were told that their cattle would not be bought by the Katima Mulilo Meatco abattoir.

This is despite previously having registered and given a date to show up for the sale.

Farmers who showed up at the Lusese crash pen said Meatco abattoir officials informed them at the last minute of the cancellation.

While there are individual buyers of cattle, Meatco is the largest buyer for local farmers.

Farmers hoped to recoup the losses incurred in getting to Lusese.

One of the farmers, Mpambo Mulatehi, travelled from Impalila Island with 20 cattle and is now wondering how he will compensate cattle herders.

"Our cattle are coming from the floodplains and moving in floodwaters for three days; they arrived last night. I am not okay right now; my cattle have been in the kraal the whole day without moving out to graze."

Those who have kept their cattle at the facility while awaiting the sale are required to pay a specified amount for each animal.

MeatCo interim Chief Executive Officer, Albertus Aochamub, said the cancellation was a result of miscommunication among officials on the ground.

He said the institution has been working on resolving ongoing technical issues that had led to temporarily taking in additional livestock beyond what had already been scheduled.

Aochamub confirmed that all livestock booked for delivery will still be purchased, including those scheduled for today, and that farmers who brought their cattle should not be turned away.

He stated that the temporary pause, which is expected to last a week, is linked to operational challenges, including water shortages at facilities such as Rundu and Katima, which affect the ability to properly manage livestock in holding areas.

Regarding future operations of the Katima Mulilo abattoir, Aochamub said the current arrangements are guided by a Cabinet directive, which remains in effect until the 15th of April.