However, according to the party, in Gauteng there is no visible municipal enforcement, no joint command center and no sustained communication with farmers. (Photo: John Steenhuisen/Facebook)
The Gauteng provincial government has rejected the DA’s claims that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi failed to coordinate efforts against the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and labeled them as “unfounded and misleading”.
According to the provincial government, the DA’s claim is “clearly false”.
Maroela Media earlier reported that the DA in Gauteng made an urgent appeal on Monday to Lesufi and Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, the MEC for agriculture, to empower mayors to develop command structures to combat foot-and-mouth disease.
According to the DA, farmers are losing more and more livestock, which threatens food security, and municipalities are not sufficiently involved or empowered in the response to the outbreak.
The DA says the Western Cape is an example where mayors play a key role in the management of foot-and-mouth disease, with clear monitoring of livestock movement, the enforcement of biosecurity measures and a well-coordinated command structure. However, according to the party, in Gauteng there is no visible municipal enforcement, no joint command center and no sustained communication with farmers.
However, the Gauteng government says the allegations against him are not only wrong, but also indicate “irregularity and political opportunism on the part of the DA”.
(Photo: Provided)
The provincial government says that John Steenhuisen, the minister of agriculture, played a significant role by helping facilitate the procurement and distribution of vaccine and supporting vaccination campaigns.
According to the statement, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has implemented a comprehensive response plan since the outbreak, which includes, among other things:
- the rapid deployment of veterinary teams to high-risk and affected areas
- the establishment of quarantine zones and strict movement control
- continued vaccination in hot spots
- continuous monitoring, testing and traceability
- collaboration with farmers, industry players and municipalities to apply biosecurity measures
According to the provincial government, these interventions show that the Gauteng government is “reaction-driven and committed to protecting livelihoods and food security in the province.”
The government further says the DA’s attempt to misrepresent the provincial response undermines public trust and distracts from the cooperation needed to manage animal health risks.
The Gauteng government says it remains focused on controlling the outbreak, supporting farmers and the stability of the agricultural sector, and calls on all role players to act responsibly and not politicize the situation.