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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State province is calling for a more coordinated programme to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province and for improved funding for veterinary services.
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) on 25 August 2025 confirmed four more cases of FMD in the province. According to the Department, three cases are in Kroonstad, two are on commercial farms and one is in a community grazing area and the fourth case was confirmed on a commercial farm near Cornelia in Mafube municipality.
The province has been experiencing outbreaks of FMD and the department affirmed farmers and the general community that it has put measures in place to combat the spread of the disease.
The DA has since expressed concern over the persistent outbreaks and calls for a coordinated programme.
According to Dr Roy Jankielsohn, the DA Leader in the Free State, DARD needs to work closely with municipalities, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and affected communities to combat the spread of animal diseases.
He says the MEC for the DARD Ms Elzabe Rockman indicated in the Free State Legislature that their veterinary services are actively involved in the fight against the disease, but that livestock are often transported illegally on secondary roads at night.
“However, the DARD programme for veterinary services remains underfunded. In the 2023/2024 Financial Year the allocation to this programme was R73,7 million, in 2024/2025 it rose to R76,6 million and in 2025/2026 the budget fell to R53,6 million. The reduction of funds to this programme during outbreaks of foot and mouth disease does not show a commitment to combating this and other animal diseases.
Municipalities in the Free State have ignored the disease by allowing livestock to roam through towns, next to provincial and national roads, and freely move around various commonage areas and open municipal spaces,” said the DA Leader.
“In a reply to a question in the Free State Legislature, the MEC responsible for Community Safety, Roads and Transport indicated that movement and veterinary permits are requested from vehicles transporting livestock during roadblocks. Since January 2025, the SAPS have opened 460 cases involving livestock that range from, among others, lack of necessary permits, stock theft and false statements regarding permits.
Reports from affected communities in rural areas indicate that the SAPS should be more active in assisting to combat the illegal movement of animals, especially during outbreaks.
The DA proposes aggressive coordinated efforts that involve all government and private sector stakeholders and will continue to monitor efforts by government to curb the disease, and hold the various stakeholders accountable in the Free State Legislature,” continued Jankielsohn.
