Foot-and-mouth outbreak spreads

There have been reports of new cases in Newcastle and Bergville, which have also spread to Mpumalanga and Gauteng, via auctions.

The Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa  (TLU SA) says the quarantine of animals affected by the disease will impact the selling of cattle.

The group's Bennie van Zyl says government has the responsibility to manage the outbreak efficiently.

" We have to make sure that all the role players make sure that when we have contaminated cattle in the area, that we control it much better, that people do not bypass the system and take it out of that area so that we can contaminate other areas as well. This is a huge impact for South Africa, for the economy of the farmers and for the consumers as well."

READ: KZN residents bemoan 'shocking' food prices

Meanwhile, Agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen says his department has ordered more than 900,000 doses of vaccines to curb the spread. 

Valued at 70-million-rand, he says the vaccinations will be done to animals in all areas the department has prioritized, which includes KZN. 

" We are embarking upon a vaccination campaign and all animals vaccinated will be marked as an F-brand on the neck of the animal. 

"The vaccination will start as soon as the vaccine arrives and will be done in conjunction and under the supervision of provincial vets, state vets, as well as industry bodies and industry vets."

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