BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka has urged Members of Parliament not to use their positions to influence officials at Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) checkpoints to allow the passage of goods that do not qualify.
Speaking during debate on the National Budget Speech in the House of Assembly, Tshawuka cautioned that such interference undermines national efforts to contain the spread of FMD, which continues to pose a serious threat to the livestock sector.
He called on legislators to cooperate fully with the Executive in combating the disease, emphasising that FMD is a national concern requiring collective responsibility. “We must work together to protect our livestock industry and our economy,” he urged.
His remarks followed questions from MPs regarding the allocation of E15 million and E57 million to the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen cordon fencing and vaccinate cattle and other livestock. Legislators expressed concern that despite a previous allocation of E40 million to address FMD in the Shiselweni Region, outbreaks had continued.
In response, Tshawuka explained that the allocations were necessary due to challenges linked to poorly maintained border fences, which allow cattle to move in and out of the country. He noted that livestock can contract FMD from neighbouring countries, including South Africa, when border controls are compromised.
The minister clarified that the Ministry had managed to contain the outbreak in Shiselweni. However, new cases emerged through other border points adjacent to regions such as Manzini and Lubombo. He also revealed that different strains of FMD had been detected while efforts were still underway to combat the initial outbreak.
Tshawuka appealed to MPs to help raise awareness among their constituents, encouraging farmers and livestock owners not to transport potentially infected animals or goods into unaffected areas. He stressed that prevention and strict adherence to regulations are critical in limiting the spread of the disease.
The minister further described the budget as people-centred, noting that Government’s investment in clean water provision and agricultural protection reflects a commitment to improving service delivery. He maintained that the FMD allocation had come at the right time, as intensified interventions are required to safeguard the country’s livestock industry.
Concluding his address, Tshawuka reiterated his plea for integrity and discipline, urging MPs not to abuse their positions by bypassing established disease-control procedures.
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