WITH confirmed cases, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is threatening the livelihoods of commercial and subsistence farmers in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture said today that there are confirmed cases of FMD inKeiskamahoek in the Amahlathi Local Municipality, while one case has been confirmed in each of the following areas: Matatiele Municipality, James Calata in Walter Sisulu Municipality, AB Xuma in Ngcobo Municipality and Mbizana in Winnie Madikizela Municipality.
According to the department, there are single suspected cases in a village at Mbhashe Municipality, at King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality and at Great Kei Local Municipality.
Atule Joka, spokesperson for the MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe explains that a village or farm in affected areas is referred to as a single epidemiological unit. “We can only report official cases that have been reported to the department,” he said.
Joka said that the department’s district offices and animal health practitioners are conducting awareness programmes in various villages in each provincial district to intensify knowledge around the disease. “Samples are collected in areas with affected cases and sent to the laboratory for testing,” he said.
“The department continues to request that farmers and the community do not move animals unless it is absolutely necessary, or with a permit from the local veterinary offices and adhere to theregulations in the Government Gazette of 13 June 2025.
“We appreciate farmers that heed the request to minimise movement we request them to continue to refrain from moving animals.
“We will continue to partner with community safety, and municipalities for people to ensure farmers have authourised documents in line as gazetted.
“We urge people to exercise vigilance and not to buy livestock purported as cheap. If livestock is cheap, there should be suspicion.”
Joka said the department’s veterinary officials are available at their local offices and will assist with any intended movement.
Heinrich Müller MPL and the province’s DA Shadow MEC for agriculture said on Monday that he has written to Kontsiwe, placing on record his concerns regarding the provincial response to foot-and-mouth disease. “I have requested clear information on how disease reporting, hotspot identification, and coordination with national structures are currently being implemented, and have called for urgent action to strengthen surveillance, improve communication to farmers, and ensure proper alignment with the national strategy,” he said.
