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The Citizen
11 hours ago
- The Citizen
261 arrested in Tshwane crime crackdown
A total of 261 suspects have been arrested in a sweeping, high-impact crime-combating initiative led by police under the banner of Operation Shanela in the Tshwane District. The multidisciplinary operation, which focused on the Sinoville and Villieria policing precincts, was spearheaded by Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine in collaboration with various law enforcement partners. The co-ordinated effort, executed on June 19, forms part of ongoing SAPS strategies to curb crime and enhance visibility in known hotspots. With intensified patrols, compliance inspections, and suspect tracing, law enforcement officers targeted criminal elements plaguing the northern parts of Tshwane. Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the operation yielded significant results. He said of the 261 suspects arrested, 187 were apprehended through detective work. These arrests include seven suspects for murder, three for attempted murder, nine for armed robbery, 30 for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and six for rape. Van Dyk said road safety and immigration compliance were also in focus. A major roadblock, executed with support from tactical teams, led to the detention of 63 undocumented foreign nationals. The individuals are currently undergoing processing for possible court appearances and deportation. 'As part of proactive enforcement, 682 individuals and 306 vehicles were searched during the operation, with ownership of 14 vehicles verified. Officers also conducted patrols across 35 high-crime areas and premises, resulting in multiple arrests. 'One suspect was arrested for possession and dealing in dagga. Police recovered a shopping bag full of dagga, two compressed dagga balls, and 28 small bags of dagga, along with an undisclosed amount of cash,' said Van Dyk. He said another individual was taken into custody for possession of suspected stolen property. The suspect was found in possession of three TV sets, seven cellphones, two tablets, and two watches. He failed to provide a plausible explanation for the goods. Traffic law enforcement also formed a critical pillar of the operation. Tshwane traffic officers issued 160 AARTO infringement notices amounting to R72 600. Seven minibus taxis were impounded for various violations of the Road Traffic Act, and five pedestrians were fined for creating dangerous circumstances on the roads. Six premises were inspected, and two were shut down for failing to comply with the Liquor Act. Police confiscated over 127 litres of alcohol during the crackdown. Major-General Thine expressed appreciation for the dedication and co-operation of all SAPS members and stakeholders who participated in the operation. 'The collective efforts of our law enforcement family continue to bring tangible results in our fight against crime,' he said. ALSO READ: Collect your June SASSA grants from tomorrow Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa rolls out emergency measures to contain foot-and-mouth disease
The government is preparing to issue new directives aimed at controlling the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across the country Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers The government is preparing to issue new directives aimed at controlling the movement of cloven-hoofed livestock across the country, in response to the recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. South Africa has been battling FMD for several months, prompting key trading partners including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and China to suspend imports of meat and related animal products from the country. Earlier this week, one of the major feedlot groups in South Africa, Karan Beef, confirmed a case of FMD at its feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng, prompting a temporary halt on purchases. IOL previously reported Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, announced that the government has placed an urgent order for R72 million worth of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to fight the disease with the vaccine set to arrive in the country by the second week of June. I can announce, regarding the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak, that the Department of Agriculture has ordered vaccines to cover the KwaZulu Natal area, while assessment, as well forward and backward tracing of the outbreak in Gauteng is ongoing. — John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) June 5, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to reports, the upcoming directives will require all livestock movements to be supervised and to comply strictly with biosecurity measures. Only animals meeting these standards will be permitted to move, in a bid to contain the spread of the disease. These measures are expected to be officially gazetted soon, giving them legal force and reinforcing efforts to protect both commercial and small-scale farmers. "Foot and Mouth has been with us since 2016 and we've seen provinces come in and out of foot and mouth status. It all comes down to adhering to the biosecurity regulations that govern the movement of animals and the auctioning of animals. "It again stresses why we need a track and trace system in South Africa to govern that but we have also put aside R72 million. We've procured vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute." Steenhuisen. The minister underscored the importance of multi-agency cooperation in enforcing the regulations. "We will need cooperation from other departments, Saps need to help us with the movement of vehicles, national traffic, municipal traffic and the border management agency. "All need to assist us in ensuring that we stop the unlawful movement of animals because that's how it spreads. I have now published a set of stringent regulations it's being gazetted in the next few days and we will take strong actions against those who break the law," he added. Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), emphasised the growing urgency of investment in biosecurity, noting a rise in disease outbreaks across the country.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
R72m foot-and-mouth vaccine delivery due mid-June
Karan Beef says vaccination efforts are contingent on 'availability from the state'. The outbreak 'is expected to cause major disruptions to the national beef supply chain'. Picture: iStock The Department of Agriculture expects a R72 million shipment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to arrive in South Africa by the second week of June. Dipepeneneng Serage, Deputy Director-General: Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management, tells Moneyweb the vaccines are being imported from Botswana 'due to South Africa's limited domestic manufacturing capacity'. The department has estimated the vaccine requirements for FMD for the 2025/2026 financial year at R1.2 billion, with each dose expected to cost around R100, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said in a statement earlier. But this amount may have to be increased, says Serage, after Karan Beef, one of South Africa's largest exporters, confirmed on Monday that a case of foot-and-mouth disease was detected at the Heidelberg facility on Friday 30 May. 'The R1.2 billion estimate was only for FMD protection zones in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and we did not anticipate a [recent] case in Gauteng and the outbreak at Karan Beef,' he adds. Karan Beef notes in a statement that approximately 120 000 cattle are housed at the affected facility. 'The company produces an estimated 100 million kilograms of beef annually from this site alone. Vaccination efforts are contingent on 'availability from the state'. 'Once initiated, a 14-day vaccination programme will commence, followed by a 14-day observation period.' ALSO READ: Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak rocks South Africa's cattle industry FMD in South Africa Serage says the department routinely vaccinates animals in areas in South Africa bordering known FMD zones, such as near the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga as well as the Mfolozi Local Municipality and the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, both in KZN. 'From time to time you see cases of FMD spilling over into areas outside the protection zones in areas where there haven't been vaccinations. If it's like that, it's manageable.' However, the situation has become more complex. 'In KZN, FMD has started flaring up in areas where we're not supposed to have it and we've been battling that since the beginning of this year,' Serage notes. Potential outbreaks in the Free State and Gauteng, which both border four other provinces, will be particularly problematic. The detection of FMD at Karan Beef follows an earlier incident in Gauteng on the East Rand on communal farmland. 'We're busy managing that. In a way it's easier when it's at a commercial feedlot like Karan because then you can place the entire feedlot under quarantine.' Serage says South Africa is in the process of ramping up its vaccine manufacturing capacity, but in the meantime the imported vaccines are suitable for South Africa, as the two countries are battling the same strain of FMD. 'So, their vaccine works for us.' ALSO READ: Industry warns of meat price spike and hunger as SA faces supply crisis Karan's next steps Investigations are still underway to determine the source of the outbreak, says Dr Dirk Verwoerd, senior feedlot veterinarian at Karan Beef. Currently, around 2% of the herd is infected, and no animals are being moved in or out of the Heidelberg feedlot during this period. Once vaccinations are complete, Karan plans to begin a controlled slaughter-out process under veterinary supervision. No mass culling is planned at this stage. The group notes that the outbreak has come at the height of weaning season and is expected to cause major disruptions to the national beef supply chain. With feedlot capacity now limited, farmers may be forced to hold on to calves for longer than usual. Karan Beef has also suspended all exports. ALSO READ: Ban on Brazil poultry imports adds to SA food insecurity Despite this setback, the company says its national network of facilities enables it to continue operations on a reduced scale. Unaffected sites will be used to support feeding capacity where possible. According to the statement, Karan Beef is 'working closely with veterinary authorities and following structured protocols to contain the outbreak with urgency and responsibility'. 'While the animals are not severely ill, the control measures are substantial and have a wide impact across the industry,' says Verwoerd. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SA's largest beef producer Karan Beef confirms a case of foot-and-mouth disease in Heidelberg
Karan Beef confirms a case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease at its feedlot Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers One of the major feedlot groups in South Africa, Karan Beef, has confirmed a case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) at its feedlot in Heidelberg, Gauteng. Karan Beef has imposed a temporary pause on purchases after detecting the disease at its feedlot. The Marketing Manager at Karan Beef, Anso Bracken, revealed that the facility was placed under pre-emptive quarantine on May 30 following the identification of a suspected infection. 'This unfortunate development highlights the ongoing risks faced by the livestock industry, even under rigorous control systems, and Karan Beef is working closely with State Veterinary Services to ensure swift containment and to minimise any further risk to the broader industry,' said Bracken. Karan Beef has not disclosed further details on the implications of the situation for its beef delivery operations across South Africa. However, the company stated that additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Bracken said Karan Beef will remain committed to transparency, compliance, and maintaining the highest standards of animal health and welfare. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading South Africa is grappling with significant challenges in its fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which has persisted for several months. This ongoing crisis has led key trading partners, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and China, to suspend imports of meat and related animal products from the country. In response, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced an urgent order for R72 million worth of FMD vaccines to combat the outbreak effectively. "Funds for the procurement of the vaccine have been transferred to Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP). The procurement process has started, and the next batch of vaccines is estimated to be delivered by mid-June,' said Steenhuisen. The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has also raised concerns about the disease. The party has called on the Department of Agriculture to intervene and approach this crisis with the necessary urgency. 'This development is creating a crisis for the entire red meat industry in South Africa, even the whole of southern Africa,' said the party. The FF Plus has highlighted that a crisis in northern KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape has escalated into a national emergency. If a major buyer like Karan Beef halts its livestock purchases, it could disrupt the entire industry. This situation is likely to drive meat prices down, forcing farmers to retain cattle on their farms at a time when grazing conditions deteriorate during the winter months. IOL NEWS
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa steps up fight against foot-and-mouth disease with R72 million vaccine order
While foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are under control in other provinces, KwaZulu-Natal remains a critical concern. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has announced that the government has placed an urgent order for R72 million worth of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to fight the disease. South Africa has been battling FMD for several months, prompting key trading partners including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and China to suspend imports of meat and related animal products from the country. Steenhuisen revealed that intensified control measures are showing positive results, with restrictions expected to be lifted soon in disease management areas across two provinces. 'Since 26 July 2024, a DMA has been in place in the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities in the Eastern Cape to control FMD outbreaks. Through a robust vaccination campaign, 144 424 vaccinations were successfully administered,' said Steenhuisen. 'With the last cases reported in September 2024 and extensive serological surveillance confirming no undetected pockets of the disease, movement restrictions in the Eastern Cape DMA will be lifted soon.' In Limpopo, a DMA has been in place since September 2022. 'Two rounds of vaccination saw 23,024 cattle vaccinated across 34 dip tanks,' Steenhuisen said. 'These positive developments highlight the effectiveness of our collaborative control measures and the dedication of all stakeholders involved,' Steenhuisen added. However, Steenhuisen said restrictions in KwaZulu-Natal will remain in place due to continued circulation of the virus. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ While some outbreaks outside the designated area have been contained, the department has also introduced a risk-based system to assess biosecurity on individual farms. Meanwhile, veterinary teams are investigating new cases reported in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. "Funds for the procurement of the vaccine have been transferred to Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP). The procurement process has started, and the next batch of vaccines is estimated to be delivered by mid-June. "This marks a crucial step forward in the department's vaccination strategy. The department has provisionally costed the vaccine requirements for the 2025/2026 financial year at R1,2 billion, with each vaccine estimated at R100 per dose". Commenting ahead of the release of the country's first-quarter GDP data later this week, Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), said the livestock sector remains under pressure. "The one area that remains a concern is the livestock industry, primarily due to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. We have already seen various trading partners temporarily banning South Africa's beef exports due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak," Sihlobo said. "Given the sizable share contribution of the livestock industry to South Africa's agricultural gross value added, its challenges are something worth reflecting on when considering South African agricultural performance". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
