Protracted drought in Swaziland is threatening about 80, 000 cattle valued $24 million, a senior veterinary officer has warned. In a public statement issued in Mbabane on Sunday, Dr Roland Dlamini, the Director of Veterinary and Livestock Services said thousands of cattle could perish because they had not been sold off by March 2015 as per early drought warning from the government. So far 10, 233 cattle with a total value of $4.5 million, have died as a result of the drought prevalent in the country. Dr Dlamini, said the Ministry of Agriculture has issued statements eight weeks ago warning that 274, 000 cattle worth $108 million were in danger of dying as a result of the parched weather and urged farmers to sell their livestock as a matter of urgency. Swaziland has 615, 010 cattle across the country which, in terms of beef cattle, is currently valued at $480 million. The Vet director said the current situation is deeply worrying as Swazis continue to lose their wealth to the situation after his ministry had tried so hard to appropriately advise farmers on what best to do to save their animals.