DA members in Gauteng strongly criticise Agriculture Minister and party leader John Steenhuisen over his management of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. They demand that Gauteng activate its own disaster management protocols without waiting for national guidance. Agricultural expert Theo de Jager argues that provinces must step in decisively now that the outbreak affects seven out of nine provinces. Gauteng’s central role in livestock movement makes national reliance risky, he explains.

DA Gauteng agriculture spokesperson Bronwyn Engelbrecht stresses the province’s position as a major hub for cattle transport, feedlots and abattoirs. She warns that vaccination alone cannot contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak if animal movement remains uncontrolled. An oversight visit uncovered that Gauteng’s Provincial Disaster Management Centre stood closed — reportedly due to unpaid electricity accounts — with no protocols activated at that time.

Mounting Pressure and Economic Risks from the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

The foot-and-mouth disease outbreak continues to threaten farmers’ livelihoods and national food security. Engelbrecht describes the non-operational disaster centre as a clear failure in leadership, preventing coordination at auctions, transport routes and feedlots. Under the Disaster Management Act, provincial centres must monitor risks, coordinate warnings and support enforcement measures such as road closures. De Jager notes that police stand ready to act, but no formal trigger has occurred.

Separately, Sakeliga, SAAI and Free State Agriculture issued a letter of demand pressing for confirmation that private livestock owners may procure and administer FMD vaccines without state restrictions. Minister Steenhuisen responded on 27 January 2026, defending the Animal Diseases Act framework and warning that litigation risks derailing vaccine rollouts already underway.

Bronwyn Engelbrecht labelled the closed Gauteng disaster centre “a failure in leadership” and urged immediate provincial action. Theo de Jager reinforced that provinces possess unique powers to enforce movement controls effectively.

Minister Steenhuisen, in his 27 January statement, called for unity and stated the department has already administered two million vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute. He criticised legal threats as distractions that could divert resources from containment efforts. Sakeliga rejected his response as inadequate and vague, maintaining their demand for a clear written confirmation by close of business on 30 January 2026.