In Africa, in the 1880s a fast-spreading disease of cattle plague or rinderpest had a terrible impact on economy of African society. It was carried by infected cattle imported from British Asia to feed the Italian soldiers stationed in East Africa. It killed 90 per cent of the cattle of Africa. The loss of cattle destroyed African livelihoods. Planters, mine owners and colonial golabour market. Control over the scarce resource of cattle enabled European colonisers to conquer and subdue Africa.vernments now monopolised remaining cattle resources. Africans were forced into the labour market. Control over the scarce resource of cattle enabled European colonisers to conquer and subdue Africa.