KwaZulu-Natal is currently grappling with the epicentre of South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, with the provincial government urgently moving to classify the crisis as a state of disaster.

Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli announced on Friday that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre has submitted a preliminary assessment to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ National Disaster Management, signalling a shift in the province’s response to the persistent and devastating animal health emergency.

The announcement came during a media briefing at the Premier’s Office, where Ntuli stressed that FMD has escalated far beyond a mere animal health concern.

“It has become a socio-economic and disaster management issue that demands decisive, coordinated action from all spheres of government,” said Ntuli.

With a substantial cattle population of approximately 2.4 million, the province of KwaZulu-Natal accounts for a significant portion of the national herd, including 21% of the nation’s dairy animals, he said.

To date, 207 cases have been confirmed, with a staggering 187 cases remaining unresolved, affecting communal herds, feedlots, commercial beef farms, and dairy operations.

Premier Ntuli noted that the outbreak is affecting the province socially and financially, as food security is under strain.

He added that livelihoods are collapsing due to the severe constraints on the multibillion-rand farming industry that employs thousands of workers supporting their families.

The premier detailed how classifying the outbreak as a State of Disaster would provide the province with a critical lifeline.

This framework will allow the province to “reprioritise resources within all organs of state in the province, mobilise national funding, secure speedy access to vaccines directly from suppliers, and strengthen coordinated interventions,” he explained.

Joining the premier, KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa addressed the issue of the erratic supply of vaccines.

The MEC acknowledged that the province has faced a significant disruption in its vaccination schedule, contributing to the persistence of the disease.

Addressing public and farmer frustration, the MEC acknowledged the issue of vaccine availability in Howick.

She admitted there was a “gap”, explaining, “we were able to vaccinate until the end of October; between November (and) December, there was no vaccine, and we currently do not have vaccine.”

Despite the current shortage, the MEC expressed confidence in her department’s readiness to execute an intensive vaccination drive the moment supply resumes.

Madlopha-Mthethwa reassured the media and the province’s farmers that teams will be deployed immediately to carry out the work once the vaccine is delivered.

“I can assure you that I have a capable team that will be assisting the farmers, and we are going to make sure that we use the vaccine as per the time allocated,” she said.

The premier advised that the vaccine is expected to arrive on Tuesday, but that due to processes, it would only be available for distribution to provinces mid-February.

Ntuli said the ongoing crisis, driven in part by non-compliance with animal movement regulations, has deeply impacted communal farmers.

The disease has led to significant economic losses, including livestock deaths, reduced milk production, and weight loss.

Crucially, the premier noted: “Livelihoods are being destroyed as livestock, especially cattle, are vital assets for rural communities, acting as savings, dowry, and ritual slaughter purposes.”

Premier Ntuli appealed for collective responsibility and a firm commitment to decisive action.

He warned that the “illegal movement of livestock continues to undermine containment efforts and places the entire agricultural sector at risk. Compliance is a collective responsibility, and enforcement will be strengthened.”

According to the premier, the proposed classification now rests with the national government, but KZN’s provincial government is not waiting. The Joint Operations Centre has already been activated to ensure a coordinated response across departments, and a comprehensive Implementation Plan is being developed.

“The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government remains fully committed to protecting the agricultural sector, safeguarding jobs and livelihoods, and working with all stakeholders to decisively contain and manage Foot-and-Mouth Disease,” said Ntuli, concluding with a goal to reduce FMD incidents by at least 70%over the next 24 months, pending the mobilisation of national resources under the proposed disaster declaration.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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