BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
SIPHOFANENI– Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla has reinforced the importance of livestock safety measures by personally using a footbath installed at Macetjeni while returning from a house handover.
The footbath is part of nationwide measures to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which continues to affect cattle in Eswatini.
During a house handover at Nqeka, KaMkhweli Chiefdom under Siphofaneni Inkhundla, the DPM condemned the unauthorised movement of livestock, stressing that some Emaswati are spreading FMD by moving cows and goats without following Ministry of Agriculture protocols. She highlighted the serious threat this poses to both livestock and the national economy.
“There are so many cases of people sneaking meat or cattle to other areas, and some even carry goats using traditional mountain routes,” she said, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to regulations.
By stepping out of her vehicle at the Macetjeni footbath, DPM Dladla demonstrated the correct procedures she had been advocating, reinforcing the importance of biosecurity measures in controlling the outbreak. She urged everyone who has received government guidance to share the message widely within their communities to protect livestock and livelihoods.
She also revealed that, in response to the disease, the government will provide vaccinations for all cattle nationwide and restrict the movement of livestock outside the country until the situation is under control. Authorities continue to urge farmers to observe all biosecurity measures, including footbaths and proper animal handling, as the Ministry of Agriculture intensifies efforts to contain the outbreak and safeguard the nation’s livestock sector.
