The Gauteng provincial government has strongly pushed back against claims by the Democratic Alliance that Premier Panyaza Lesufi has failed to properly coordinate the province's response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, branding the accusations as baseless and deliberately misleading.
DA calls for municipal empowerment amid livestock losses
The political clash erupted after the DA's Gauteng caucus issued an urgent call on Monday for both Lesufi and Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, the MEC responsible for agriculture, to grant mayors the authority to establish command structures aimed at tackling the spreading disease. The opposition party argued that farmers across the province are suffering mounting livestock losses, placing food security under growing threat, while municipalities remain sidelined from the crisis response.
Drawing comparisons with the Western Cape, the DA pointed to what it described as a more effective model in that province, where mayors are actively involved in managing the outbreak through rigorous monitoring of livestock movement, strict enforcement of biosecurity protocols, and a well-organised command structure. In contrast, the party claimed Gauteng lacks any visible municipal enforcement, has no joint command centre in operation, and has failed to maintain consistent communication with affected farming communities.
"The DA's claim is clearly false. These allegations are not only wrong, but also indicate irregularity and political opportunism on the part of the DA."
The provincial administration hit back firmly, insisting its response has been both thorough and proactive since the outbreak was first identified. Officials noted that Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen had in fact played a meaningful role by assisting with the procurement and distribution of vaccines while lending support to vaccination drives across affected areas.
Province details comprehensive outbreak response plan
According to the Gauteng government, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has rolled out a wide-ranging response plan since the FMD outbreak began. The strategy encompasses multiple interventions designed to contain the spread of the disease and protect the livelihoods of farmers in the province.
"These interventions show that the Gauteng government is reaction-driven and committed to protecting livelihoods and food security in the province."
Provincial officials went further, accusing the DA of deliberately misrepresenting Gauteng's efforts in a manner that erodes public confidence and shifts focus away from the cooperative approach required to manage animal health risks effectively. The government maintained that politicising a crisis of this nature serves no constructive purpose and ultimately harms those most affected by the outbreak.
The Gauteng administration reiterated its commitment to bringing the disease under control, providing ongoing support to the farming community, and ensuring the stability of the province's agricultural sector. It called on all stakeholders and political parties to act responsibly and prioritise collaboration over point-scoring during a time of genuine crisis for the industry.
