Farmers in the Okakarara Constituency of the Otjozondjupa region have lost more than 200 livestock due to a poisonous plant. The loss mainly occurred in the Outemba village after the animals fed on the plant, known as poison leaf. Councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu told Nampa that the deadly plant claimed an estimated 200 cattle annually in the constituency. Livestock feeding on the leaves of the plant die within four to 24 hours, if the animal drinks water after ingesting the plant. Kandorozu said the poisonous plant germinates during dry seasons, thereby attracting a multitude of animals to feed on it. He said farmers are not compensated by Government when they lose livestock to the poisonous plant. The Councillor explained that this was because no alternative had been discussed yet on what to do with the plant. He further said many farmers had to walk their animals more than 20 kilometres to the nearest water points, particularly in the Okamatapati and Otjituo settlements. The Councillor revealed that he was in discussions with NamWater to drill boreholes in the area. He said the regional council was busy developing land to resettle farmers.