Minister Didiza welcomes the arrest of a farmer who knowingly spread foot and mouth disease in Limpopo
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza, MP has welcomed the arrest of an alleged auctioneer who deliberately spread the foot and mouth disease in the province of Limpopo.
“The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Limpopo Province has had a devastating effect on the economy of the country as a whole, and it is estimated that it has costed a lot of money, with the most severe effects felt by the red meat industry “ said Minister Didiza.
The Minister wishes to thank the police for their swift response in effecting the arrest. This arrest came after the department opened a case with the police following suspicious spread of Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD). The police then reported that a suspect was arrested and charged with alleged contravention of the Animals Diseases Act of 1984(Act No 35 of 1984). The suspect appeared in court on Monday the 27th 2020 and the case was postponed for further investigation until 23 March 2020. The suspect was released on bail, with conditions. It is alleged that he knowingly received cloven hoofed animals that were moved out of the FMD controlled area and subsequently sold and moved those animals at various auctions and to various individuals.
The Minister urges any persons/farmer who may be concerned that they may have bought cattle from this individual, or through any suspect transactions, or with any other information in connection with the illegal movement of cloven hoofed animals out of the FMD controlled area, to contact the Department’s Law Enforcement Unit, as well as their local State Vetenary Services, as soon as possible.
The Minister and the department wants assure all South African that everything possible is being done to make sure that the Foot and Mouth Disease is dealt with once and for all and the task team established by the Minister is working around the clock to deal with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth.
For Media inquiries:
Media Liaison Officer
Reggie Ngcobo
Cell: 082 883 2458
For Technical inquiries
Jan Nel
Law Enforcement Unit
Cell: 084 677 3157
