Auctioneer nabbed for allegedly spreading foot and mouth disease
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has welcomed the arrest of an auctioneer who allegedly deliberately spread foot and mouth disease in Limpopo.
“The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Limpopo Province has had a devastating effect on the economy of the country as a whole, and it is estimated that it has cost a lot of money, with the most severe effects felt by the red meat industry," says Didiza.
The arrest came after the department opened a case with the police following the suspicious spread of foot and mouth disease in Limpopo.
The police subsequently arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged contravention of the Animals Diseases Act.
ALSO READ: National ban on livestock auctions
The suspect appeared in court on Monday and the case was postponed for further investigation until March 23.
He was granted bail.
It is alleged that he knowingly received cloven-hoofed animals that were moved out of the foot and mouth controlled area and subsequently sold and moved those animals at various auctions and to various individuals.