10 Mar 2026

The Department of Veterinary Services is concerned by unmonitored movement of livestock, with some animals crossing the border in the midst of the threatening environment due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

Addressing an emergency kgotla meeting at Kolonkwaneng on Friday, the acting Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Kobedi Segale expressed concern over the increasing cases of livestock roving unmonitored and crossing the border into FMD affected areas.

The meeting was convened to discuss the escalating biosecurity risks in the area and Dr Segale warned that if the community does not change its ways, government would be forced to halt all animal movements, effectively closing financial streams of local farmers as livestock was the backbone of livelihoods in most rural communities.

 He issued a stark ultimatum to the Kolonkwaneng community to tighten livestock management along the South African border or face a total shutdown of the local animal trade.

The meeting follows an operation in which 31 goats were culled to prevent the potential spread of disease. Dr Segale noted that the incident was the second in a very short period and that authorities were compelled to kill livestock in the area to eliminate possible spread of the disease.

Dr Segale said even though the killing of the animals was primarily meant to prevent any possible spread of FMD, for farmers, it was painful as it meant loss.

“This is a great loss to the community,” said Dr Segale. Dr Segale was candid about the gravity of the situation, stating that the norm of bordering villages of relentlessly crossing the border and visiting neighbours in South Africa must end immediately.

Dr Segale urged farmers to do better and act differently , noting that the risk was not just at individual  level. BOPA