14 Jan 2026

The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the neighbouring South Africa has the potential to plunge the region into abject poverty if preventative measures are not enforced. Furthermore, the  spillover into Botswana will be catastrophic for the national economy, says Tsabong District acting agricultural coordinator, Dr Tshepang Moeng.

Speaking during kgotla meetings addressed by the area MP, Mr Tokyo Modise on Tuesday, Dr Moeng cautioned that an outbreak could trigger an immediate loss of the lucrative European Union market, which was contingent on the country’s disease-free status.

This would result in livestock export ban, restriction on meat products and the risk of losing national herd leading to socio-economic impacts on household dependent on livestock sales, he said.

He pleaded with the community to avoid importing meat products and report any livestock showing suspicious symptoms of the disease. He also stressed the importance of animal marking to ensure traceability.

Dr Moeng however confirmed that department of veterinary and Botswana Police Service teams were working tirelessly patrolling the border line.

The area MP, Mr Modise also issued a stern warning to residents of Tsabong, McCarthy’s Rust and Maubelo regarding the critical threat of FMD infiltrating from neighboring South Africa. He expressed concern over the rising frequency of illegal border crossings.


The Kgalagadi South legislator noted that such criminal activities posed a direct threat to the national economy, particularly as South Africa continued to battle significant FMD outbreaks.

“The risk of infection is at an all-time high. We have individuals crossing illegally and returning with prohibited animal products. This must stop if we are to protect our livestock industry,” he said.

Mr Modise urged residents to cooperate fully with veterinary officers, report all illegal crossings and maintain strict control over their livestock movement to keep them away from the border fence.

He further added that the government’s transformation agenda was a national prosperity dependent on agricultural security.
While residents pledged their support, they also voiced frustrations regarding government compensation policy and border security.

Ms Elizabeth Bless of Maubelo pointed out significant gaps in border enforcement. “The police are no longer patrolling as they used to, and people are crossing to South Africa at will,” she said, adding that cross-border stock theft had become an alarming vector for potential disease transmission.

Furthermore, residents criticised the current FMD compensation rates. Many argued that the payment of P700 per cow and P200 for small stock was insufficient to cover the market value of their animals, pleading with the government to review the figures with the view to increase them.

Meanwhile, following the notification of the outbreak of FMD by South Africa in Waterberg District, Limpopo province last year, farmers and stakeholders particularly in the district bordering the country such as Tsabong, Goodhope, Ramotswa, Tlokweng, Kgatleng, and Mahalapye were urged to be vigilant and advised to observe FMB preventative measures.

The measures according to a press release from Ministry of Lands and Agriculture include controlling movement of livestock by heading and kraaling especially at night. Farmers are also urged to immediately report any suspected signs of FMD in animals such as lameness, drooling and ulcers in the mouth and hooves.

The release says South African livestock that have crossed into Botswana or Botswana livestock that have crossed into South Africa and livestock suspected to have been returned from the neighbouring country should be reported.

Farmers are further advised to notify authorities on vandalism of the disease control fence or illegal crossing at undesignated points as well as report suspected  smuggling of FMD vaccine into Botswana.ENDS