Zimbabwe’s sniffer dogs couldn’t help search for cyclone victims because they’re only trained to find marijuana

Zimbabwean officials are facing criticism after it was discovered that the government was forced to hire sniffer dogs from South Africa to help in the search for over 300 people buried under mud and rubble in Chimanimani after a cyclone swept through and devastated the region.

 

 

Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa defended the move, admitting that Zimbabwe’s sniffer dogs are only trained to detect cannabis.

“These [South African dogs] are trained dogs and we have dogs in our country which are trained to sniff marijuana and other things,” she told media last week during a briefing in Harare. “I think we need to seriously start thinking of training our dogs to do that kind of sniffing.”

Zimbabwe recently legalized cannabis cultivation for medical and research purposes, although recreational cannabis remains illegal.

Most of the South African dogs have now left the country, according to Local Government minister July Moyo, who said that search efforts would now be focused on the excavation.

“The dogs have finished searching for the bodies and identification of the bodies has already been done,” Moyo said Tuesday. “We are told by specialists that we have to engage specially trained people. So we have engaged the Museums and Monuments who will work with archaeologists and also have specialized equipment.”

The death toll from Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe has climbed to 344 people, with 257 reported missing.

Between Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries Malawi and Mozambique, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 casualties. The Zimbabwe government has launched an appeal to the international community for USD$613 million in aid.