Calls for foot and mouth action plan in KZN
DA KZN Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Sakhile Mngadi accused the MEC of failing to provide transparent updates on the number of FMD cases, and to roll out a clear, science-based containment and vaccination plan.
ALSO READ: Grave concerns over foot-and-mouth spread in KZN
'She also failed to restore full veterinary service coverage in high-risk districts and communicate proactively with farmers, industry bodies and the public. This clear lack of leadership in the province has left farmers vulnerable, undermined disease control efforts, and eroded confidence in the department's ability to safeguard one of our province's most critical economic sectors,' said Mngadi.
He urged kaMadlopha-Mthethwa to immediately collaborate with national authorities to ensure the efficient roll out of the 200 000 vaccines and publish up-to-date and accurate data on outbreak areas and vaccination coverage.
'The MEC must establish district-level task teams involving veterinary experts, farmer associations and local authorities, and launch a weekly public briefing system to provide transparency and restore trust,' he said.
'FMD is not only a veterinary challenge, it is a crisis of economic survival for rural communities. The time for denial and inaction is over. KZN deserves a provincial department that is honest, responsive, and fully committed to protecting our farmers.
'Over the past year, livestock farmers across KZN have been left in the dark, facing prolonged auction bans, limited veterinary support and widespread uncertainty. Districts such as uMkhanyakude, Zululand and King Cetshwayo have borne the brunt of these outbreaks, with no consistent communication or support from the provincial department,' said Mngadi.
Action plan
kaMadlopha-Mthethwa said the seriousness and the socio-economic impact of FMD on the entire agricultural sector, particularly the vulnerable rural communities, should not be used for cheap political scoring.
'The plight of our farmers is real and I have worked tirelessly with the minister to effectively roll out an intervention programme, which is gradually showing positive results.
'The threat of infection is still real but the evidence in KZN is demonstrating signs of a successful intervention by all role players,' said the MEC.
'As my colleague in the provincial legislature, Mngadi should have addressed concerns regarding the province's FMD containment measures directly with me or the provincial department. Instead, he conveniently chose to ignore established communication channels and contacted the national department, seemingly for his nefarious reasons,' she said.
ALSO READ: Foot-and-Mouth case confirmed near Empangeni
kaMadlopha-Mthethwa further explained that the department's veterinary services are working to contain the outbreak by using all available resources to strictly control the movement of cloven-hoofed animals.
Farms, pastures, feedlots and dip tanks that tested positive for FMD have been placed under quarantine and are being observed, with notable successes in Jozini, where no animals have tested positive for the disease.
'Since the outbreak in 2021, the department's veterinary services embarked on an intensive intervention programme and have vaccinated a total of 616 374 cattle to date,' she said.
The MEC said a team from her department remains dedicated and working against all odds in their efforts to contain FMD.
'On account of these interventions, although not exhaustive, we urge all responsible leaders, especially those claiming to be serving the best interest of the farming communities, to act responsibly at all times with issues that can easily arouse emotions of those directly affected.
'The additional vaccine procured will assist, but vaccination is not the panacea for FMD in our province. There is a need for all stakeholders to co-operate with authorities in ensuring strict adherence to movement control protocols and ensure herd isolation, among other measures,' she said.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
4 hours ago
- eNCA
Call to blacklist companies implicated in Tembisa Hospital corruption
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department is allegedly still buying from companies linked to the Tembisa hospital scandal. The DA says ANC heavyweight and tenderpreneur, Sello Sekhokho continues to get business. This is despite the SIU recommending otherwise. Shortly before her death in 2021, Whistleblower Babita Deokaran red-flagged contracts worth R850-million. There were over 200 suppliers to the hospital. Dr Aslam Dasoo from the Progressive Health Forum says stolen health public funds have immediate and deadly effects.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
KZN industry bodies call for state of disaster due to foot and mouth disease crisis
KZN industry bodies call for state of disaster due to foot and mouth disease crisis Farmers in KZN are calling for a provincial state of disaster to be declared as the ongoing foot and mouth disease (FMD) crisis continues to erode their livelihoods. The Witness reports that approximately 120 farmers have been severely affected. Since April, the province has recorded 167 outbreaks of FMD. Of these, only 18 have been closed, while 149 remain active. In response, government expanded the Disease Management Area (DMA), where livestock movement is restricted to contain the disease. However, despite these regulations being gazetted, enforcement remains weak, allowing the disease to continue spreading as livestock move unabated. KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa released an action plan in a bid to work with the sector to contain the spread of the disease. Movement restrictions have impacted the ability of farmers to earn an income, as they are unable to sell their livestock unless their farms are declared biosecure. Even then, they may only sell to feedlots and abattoirs. These issues have prompted industry bodies under the KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) to formally call for a state of disaster to be declared. 'Although control measures are in place, weak enforcement allows the disease to move further, putting strain on livestock producers, processors and the urban and peri-urban economies that depend on the sector,' Kwanalu says. 'If we don't get FMD under control, it will result in businesses closing and increased unemployment and poverty for the many families that rely on this industry.' KZN Red Meat Producers' Organisation chairperson and Kwanalu vice-president, Angus Williamson, said farmers within the DMA are under severe pressure and that proper enforcement is essential. 'The only way to control movement is to have policing in the area,' he said. He added that this would only be possible if a state of disaster was declared, as it would enable the allocation of additional funding and resources. 'Roadblocks would work, as many farmers continue to transport livestock out of the DMA because there is no enforcement,' said Williamson. 'Policing the area would be a big task as the DMA stretches approximately four million hectares.' He also called for faster delivery of vaccines, particularly to high-risk areas. 'Vaccines need to be more readily available and should be delivered expeditiously to high-risk areas.' Johan Du Plessis, chairperson of the Dundee Farmers Association, said compliance requirements to become biosecure are a major hurdle. 'There are over 100 points that need to be complied with and, consequently, many farmers I represent have not had a steady cash flow for four months,' he said. 'Some farmers do have alternative sources of income like selling maize, but many, especially the small-scale farmers, are solely livestock farmers,' he said. 'Sixty percent of cattle in the province belong to small-scale farmers, so it's a big concern.' Du Plessis added that some farmers have resorted to smuggling cattle out of the DMA. 'While I understand that people must earn a living, the continued movement of cattle will facilitate further spreading of the disease.' The call for a state of disaster comes shortly after Statistics South Africa and the South African Reserve Bank commended the agricultural sector for its strong performance in the first quarter of the year. Du Plessis said that while the government recognises the economic importance of the livestock industry, the response has been too slow. 'Government is aware of the economic power that the sector holds, but thinks they have been slow to action because, for a long time, FMD was confined to KZN. 'But now that it has spread to provinces like Gauteng, there is hope that swift, effective action will come,' he said. The DMA includes much of northern KZN, covering Mtubatuba, Nongoma, Ulundi and Jozini local municipalities. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Phelophepa train brings free healthcare to Sedibeng residents
VEREENIGING – Hundreds of residents from across the Sedibeng District have once again benefited from the Transnet Phelophepa Healthcare Train, which has been providing a wide range of free health services, including general healthcare, dental care, psychological support, optometry, and chronic care. For the past two weeks, the train has been stationed at the Vereeniging Train Station, where it has become a hub of care and compassion. Each morning, long lines form as community members arrive early to access essential services. The dedication of residents, especially the elderly, highlights the vital need for accessible healthcare in the region. On June 25, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited the healthcare train to oversee operations, connect with residents, and emphasise the importance of prioritizing health. She was accompanied by representatives from Transnet, the Gauteng Department of Health, and local government officials. Speaking to Ster North, train manager Bheki Mendlula expressed gratitude for the MEC's consistent support. 'Before we arrived in Vereeniging, we were in Heidelberg, and the MEC visited us there too. Her regular visits show true commitment and help strengthen our partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, one of our key stakeholders,' he said. Mendlula also noted that one of the most in-demand services was the eye clinic, which offers immediate prescription glasses, a major draw for residents who might otherwise face delays at local clinics. However, he raised concerns about people sleeping at the station overnight to secure a spot in line. 'We don't encourage this, especially since most of the people are elderly. Winter nights can be harsh and unsafe. But many still do it because they've come from far away and don't want to miss the opportunity,' he said. This visit marked more than just care at the station; the Phelophepa outreach programme extended its services deeper into local communities. Healthcare workers visited schools and offered support to learners, working in partnership with the Department of Education to bring healthcare directly to those in need. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
