DURBAN - THE KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi has prohibited the moving of livestock from affected areas in the province for five years in an effort to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease.
Sithole-Moloi said the affected areas are uMkhanyakude, Zululand and the King Cetshwayo district.
During a visit to the vaccination site at Ebukhipha Deep Tank near KwaHlabisa to roll out a vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the disease, she warned that random roadblocks would be conducted to ensure that communities comply with the movement prohibition.
Sithole-Moloi expressed concern over the continued movement of livestock at KwaHlabisa even after the announcement of a prohibition.
“We are pleading with the farmers and cattle owners to refrain from transporting cattle for whatever occasion because this leads to the spread of the foot and mouth disease. We also urge people to stop moving livestock at night,” she said.
The MEC said while government understood the impact that the ban will have on the livelihoods of stock owners, curbing the spread of the disease was a priority.
Sithole-Moloi also called on law enforcement agencies to aid in the campaign to quell the spread of foot and mouth disease, by actively ensuring compliance with the movement ban.
Bhekisana Mbatha, chairperson of the uMkhanyakude District Livestock Association welcomed the ban on the movement of livestock, adding that the the vaccinations will help to stop the spread of disease and rescue the local economy.
“Stock theft should be combated head-on by the law enforcement agencies to ensure that it doesn’t derail the government's efforts,” he said.
Sithole-Moloi said the campaign will be rolled out to other areas that were at high risk of infection.