Foot-and-Mouth Disease
John Steenhuisen exits DA leadership race amid finances controversy
من إعداد الذكاء الاصطناعي صورة مولدة بواسطة الذكاء الاصطناعي
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen announced on February 4, 2026, that he will not seek re-election, citing the need to focus on the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak as agriculture minister. The decision follows revelations about his personal credit card debt and a dispute with former minister Dion George. His exit paves the way for potential successors like Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
The Eastern Cape Agriculture Department has imposed a 30-day restriction on animal movement across the province, except for slaughter, following confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease case in Amahlathi Local Municipality. Suspected cases have also been reported in other areas, with affected farms placed under quarantine.