馃嚳馃嚘South AfricaSouthern Africa
Farmers angered by further delay in foot-and-mouth disease vaccine plan
via The Citizen2 min read
Farmers have expressed anger following another postponement in the High Court proceedings concerning the Department of Agriculture's plan to combat foot-and-mouth disease FMD. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen was granted an extended deadline until May 5 to publish a vaccination scheme under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act. This marks the second time urgent proceedings have been delayed due to the department's unpreparedness. Steenhuisen, however, stated that allegations of delays are unfounded and that efforts are underway to vaccinate animals quickly. He also signed a memorandum of intent and a comprehensive action plan with Brazil鈥檚 Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Andr茅 Carlos Alves de Paula to enhance cooperation. TLU SA chair Bennie van Zyl described the FMD challenge as a crisis, lamenting the necessity of a court case to compel state action, suggesting the process could have concluded in January. Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative Saai board chair Theo de Jager voiced disappointment that the minister has not adhered to court-set deadlines for publishing the Section 10 scheme. De Jager also mentioned that Steenhuisen previously refused a request from Saai, Sake Liga, and Vrystaat Landbou in January for regulations to obtain the vaccine themselves, citing fears farmers would use it as biological weapons. De Jager added that the World Organisation for Animal Health WOIE denied requiring strict central government control for vaccine handling, statin
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
Some members of the Democratic Alliance DA are reportedly upset about the decision to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. The discontent stems from an alleged agreement between current DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Steenhuisen, where Steenhuisen would retain his ministerial role if he did not seek another term as party leader. Hill-Lewis has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, proposing Steenhuisen's replacement by Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, with Steenhuisen moving to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Ramaphosa has not yet confirmed these changes. Some DA members claim they were not consulted on the reshuffle, with one source suggesting that Hill-Lewis's decision has exposed party divisions and that Steenhuisen feels "betrayed." Political analyst Prof Theo Neethling indicated that the move might be "pure DA damage control" due to Steenhuisen's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which alienated many farmers. Hill-Lewis, however, stated his decision was made in the best interests of the DA and the government of national unity, prioritizing public and voter loyalty.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, stated she does not hold her father responsible for her expulsion from the MK party, instead blaming individuals surrounding the party's leadership. She made these comments at a media briefing on Sunday, following her and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela's expulsion from the party on Thursday. Zuma-Sambudla indicated she has not yet discussed the expulsion with her father but plans to do so next week. The party cited a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela as reasons for their removal. Zuma-Sambudla was accused of undermining party unity and promoting factional narratives, while Ndhlela was accused of unauthorized media briefings and misrepresenting party positions. Ndhlela claims that both his and Zuma's roles in the MK party were undermined and that he and Zuma-Sambudla will challenge their expulsions in the high court, asserting that no disciplinary hearing was held before their removal.
A Limpopo councillor, Netshivhumbe Gumani, 44, was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit SIU investigator with R70,000 to disregard evidence in a corruption probe. The investigation concerns allegations of maladministration and corruption related to two tenders by the Mahikeng Local Municipality. Gumani reportedly approached three SIU investigators, offering R10,000 in cash as part of the bribe during a meeting in Mahikeng. The SIU, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Hawks, conducted an entrapment operation leading to Gumani's arrest. He faces corruption charges and appeared in the Molopo Magistrates' Court, with his case postponed to June 29, 2026, for a bail application. The SIU stated that its investigators maintain high integrity and that attempts to corrupt them will be met with legal action.