Gov't clears air on Ramatlabama FMD culling debate
Larona Makhaiza | Tuesday April 14, 2026 12:05
Addressing the media this morning, Acting Minister Edwin Dikoloti said the ministry is well aware of the news making rounds on social media that government does not want to cull the multimillion-pula cattle but quick to cull those of ordinary farmers.
“This is the opportune moment to address the concerning and misleading claims on social media. Some of these suggest that the livestock owned by farmers are treated differently (culled) compared to government-owned livestock, which critics imply are spared from culling measures to maintain beef export status,” Dikoloti said.
To put the matter to rest and clear out any misconceptions that are making rounds on social media, the acting minister indicated that before animals are culled, there are proper channels to be followed.
“Culling of FMD susceptible livestock is implemented based on epidemiological justification primarily to control, prevent, or eradicate highly infectious or zoonotic diseases, thereby protecting herd health, livelihoods and the national economy,” he explained.
Dikoloti further stressed that culling is not the only strategy that can be used to contain FMD, providing examples that since the outbreak of the disease in Zone 6B, no animal has been vaccinated.
“Culling is not always carried out to manage disease outbreaks. A good example is the FMD outbreak in veterinary disease control zones 6B and 3C where ‘vaccination-to-leave’ (VTL) is being carried out instead of mass-killing, commonly called ‘stamping-out,'” he said. Just like the vaccination to leave plan is carried out in Zone 6B and 3C, Dikoloti clarified that the same concept is applied in Zone 11, necessitating that no animal will be culled to fight the disease.
“Similarly, no culling is taking place in Zone 11, contrary to what some people post on social media. Rather, emergency vaccination is being carried out, alongside disease surveillance and epidemiological investigation,” he said.
“The latter entails identification and characterization of the outbreak virus, and its source,' he added, saying the outcome of these important exercises will inform choice of the most appropriate eradication strategy for rapid recovery of the suspended status, and early return to safe trade of livestock and products-thereof.
'This involves balancing immediate, high-cost actions against long-term economic and welfare implications,” he said.
Dikoloti further clarified that at times, culling will apply to all cattle whether they belong to government or ordinary farmers.
“Contrary to social media claims, culling applies to all livestock, regardless of ownership. For example, government owned livestock was culled during the control of the 2011 FMD outbreak in Zone 6,” he said.