Meanwhile, a cattle parade show at the Omaludi Festival was called off at the last minute after an untested buffalo was spotted roaming the Okongo area.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the cancellation and apologised to exhibitors and visitors who traditionally enjoy the segment.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the risk of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was too high and could pose a danger to the country's economy.

"I arrived late because I was waiting for an update from the team tracking the buffalo." However, I was informed that the buffalo is still at large and has not yet been tested. We cannot risk this situation. Since the animal has not been found and its health status remains unknown, gathering cattle for a show would pose a serious risk." 

Buffaloes are known carriers of FMD. Nature conservation officials have been tracking the animal for the past three weeks after it was first spotted in Omutwewomunhu village earlier this month.

The buffalo has since moved through several villages in the Okongo and Oshikunde constituencies and is now believed to be in areas of the Kavango West Region.