Foot-and-Mouth Disease
John Steenhuisen exits DA leadership race amid finances controversy
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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.