Latest news with #DeJager
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak rocks South Africa's cattle industry
The confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease at Karan Beef's Heidelberg feedlot has further thrown South Africa's cattle industry into crisis. Farmers and organised agriculture are concerned about the outbreak of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in South Africa, which is having devastating financial consequences for farmers, but is not harmful to humans. A case of FMD was confirmed at a feedlot of Karan Beef near Heidelberg in Gauteng this week. Karan Beef spokesperson senior feedlot veterinarian Dr Dirk Verwoerd said a case of FMD was confirmed at its feedlot facility in Heidelberg on Monday. Outbreak will 'disrupt national supply chain' 'The outbreak is during peak weaning season and will significantly disrupt the national supply chain. Farmers may be forced to hold calves longer than usual due to limited feedlot capacity. Karan Beef has suspended all exports,' he said. Verwoerd said there was no risk to human health but local beef supply may be affected in the short term. 'Immediate action has been taken in collaboration with provincial and national veterinary services to contain the outbreak and ensure the ongoing safety of South Africa's beef supply. 'Despite Karan Beef's strict adherence to biosecurity protocols, including multiple individual inspections, 28-day quarantine periods and mouthing examinations over the past two years, FMD can still be transmitted by subclinical carriers that do not show visible symptoms, making detection extremely challenging.' Verwoerd said 120 000 cattle were currently housed at the Heidelberg facility. 'Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak. Approximately 2% of the herd is currently infected.' ALSO READ: Farmers 'on the edge' over crippling foot and mouth disease Agriculture sector blames state for delayed response He said a controlled slaughter-out process will be implemented once vaccinations are completed under veterinary supervision. Southern African Agri Initiative president Dr Theo de Jager said the organisation has been engaging with the department of agriculture since December 2024, when the first rumours of FMD began circulating. 'It took months before the outbreak was officially declared and resources were mobilised to combat it,' he said. De Jager said farmers have since reported seeing cattle being transported on trucks or trailers to auctions daily, especially in the Mpumalanga highveld. Calls for stricter livestock movement and containment 'This crisis originates with the state. The department of agriculture, supported by local private veterinarians, must act immediately on observation of symptoms, identify the infected area and quarantine it. 'Failure to act swiftly ensures the further spread of the disease and causes devastating damage to the cattle industry,' he said. De Jager said if the state was unable to control the movement of livestock from infected areas, successful meat and dairy production would no longer be viable. Farmers left without income as prices rise 'Producers are not the only victims – consumers are likely to pay more for meat. Farmers in the expanded infected area, however, will not benefit from these higher prices, as they are prohibited from selling their livestock.' ALSO READ: Will SA run out of beef and chicken? Animal disease hits SA's top producer — what it means for consumers De Jager said if farmers cannot sell their livestock, their farms have no income. TLU SA and the Red Meat Producers' Organisation have urgently appealed to the government to put a disaster management programme or emergency fund in place to aid producers. TLU SA chair Bennie van Zyl said grassroots-level producers are in a dire situation. 'Farms are effectively being removed from circulation without any support.' Highly contagious According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. It affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. 'The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but there is often high mortality in young animals due to myocarditis or, when the dam is infected by the disease, lack of milk.' FMD is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats and between the hooves. 'The disease causes severe production losses, and, while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.' NOW READ: Bird flu ban: Brazil suspension takes chicken and polony off South African tables — prices set to rise
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Taps run dry in Merafong after municipality defaults on bill
Rand Water cuts supply to Merafong after the municipality defaulted, worsening water shortages and affecting paying residents. Merafong local municipality is still dogged by water rationing, even cut-offs, almost a year after restrictions were imposed by the Carletonville-based council. It has emerged that the problem is that the municipality has not paid Rand Water, which has reduced water supply to the municipality. Additionally megalitres of water are wasted through leaks. Merafong owes Rand Water R1.2bn The municipality owes R1.2 billion to Rand Water and is said to have defaulted on the payment agreement in April, resulting in a 20% cut in its water supply. This adversely affected residents across the board, including loyal payers. Now DA shadow MEC for infrastructure Nico de Jager has asked Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Jacob Mamabolo to intervene. ALSO READ: Municipal water disruption affects services at Carletonville Hospital He blamed them for not taking action, though the situation has been deteriorating for some time. De Jager said the Merafong water crisis was due to incompetent leadership and widespread mismanagement of financial and material resources in the municipality. 'This cash-strapped municipality is battling to pay its creditors due to financial mismanagement and maladministration. Municipality battling to pay its creditors 'Years of neglecting its water infrastructure resulted in up to 50% water losses. The municipality also lost water through leaks and unmetered use.' He said the administrative failure had now affected hospital services and many residents who were up to date with payments, because the rationing affected everybody. 'Without tangible solutions, action and intervention, more communities will join the thirsty queue as Rand Water is faced with maintenance challenges,' De Jager said. ALSO READ: 11-hour water disruptions due to Eskom maintenance: Here are the affected areas The Merafong water crisis has affected Carltonville and its surrounds and extends as far as Fochville and nearby mines. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has been asked to address Emfuleni local municipality. In a letter to the commission, DA Emfuleni north constituency head Kingsol Chabalala, Emfuleni said the municipality was violating residents' right to access water and sanitation as stated in the constitution. Sahcr asked to address Emfuleni 'The complaint pertains to Emfuleni's failure to provide essential services such as clean water, adequate sanitation and effective sewage management. 'This neglect has resulted in communities living in squalor.' The municipality recently returned R636 million of its Municipal Infrastructure Grant to National Treasury that was unspent despite an urgent need to repair sewer and water systems. NOW READ: Water cuts: Merafong to speak to Rand Water
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- The Citizen
Wheels stolen from vehicle in Dennesig
According to Lenie De Jager from Helen Joseph Street, Dennesig, the thieves gained access to her premises last night by lifting the gate from its rail. The thieves then stole the four wheels from a light-motor-vehicle that was parked in the front of the yard after removing paving bricks from the driveway and setting the vehicle upon them. The criminals also went on to steal a selection of tools, diesel cans full of diesel and a fire extinguisher from the bin of a work vehicle. 'At no point were we awoken, despite having dogs on the property,' Ms De Jager told the Middelburg Observer. She estimated the value of the wheels at R20 000 and the stolen equipment at roughly R15 000. A case had been opened at the Middelburg Police Station. Also read: WATCH: Wheel thieves at work in Dennesig caught on camera Thousands of rands in damages as wheel thieves strike again Wielbende slaan toe by gastehuis Wielbende slaan weer toe At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Teen flips attacker during brawl over prom dress in Gwinnett, police say
A planned prom dress sale between former friends spiraled into a violent altercation at a Gwinnett gas station, with surveillance footage capturing the moment an 18-year-old victim flipped one of her attackers to the ground in self-defense. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Gwinnett County Police arrested three suspects following the Feb. 26 confrontation at the RaceTrac on Beaver Ruin Road near Norcross. 'It appears that all the individuals knew each other or had some familiarization with each other,' said Gwinnett County Cpl. Juan Madiedo. According to police reports, the victim had agreed to meet her former friend, 20-year-old Morgan Flinchum, at the gas station to sell a prom dress. The dress had originally belonged to Flinchum, but the victim's mother had helped pay for it, per the police report. As part of the exchange, they went into the store's restroom so Flinchum could try it on. TRENDING STORIES: Ex-Atlanta Falcons linebacker sentenced for swindling victims out of $5.3 million in Ponzi scheme Man 'allowed' 3-year-old to be attacked by aggressive dog, deputies say After-prom party shooting kills former Cobb County student While inside, an unidentified friend of Flinchum grabbed the dress and ran. The victim rushed out, attempting to stop the individual. A male witness with her managed to retrieve the dress, but tensions escalated as the group moved near the gas pumps, according to the report. Moments later, the victim was surrounded by Flinchum, Kaylee George, and Lelia DeJager, according to Gwinnett County police. 'There was a dispute, which ultimately was a civil issue between the dress and money owed to one of the parties. Obviously, in the video, you can see it became physical, and that's when 911 was called.' According to police, surveillance footage shows one of the suspects choking the victim, who then flipped her attacker over her shoulder in a defensive move. 'There was a victim being surrounded by multiple individuals,' said Madiedo. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The victim told police she could not breathe while being choked, which triggered her self-defense response. After the flip, tensions remained high. As they waited for officers to arrive, another fight broke out when Flinchum allegedly swung at the victim, though the male witness stepped in to separate them. A second unidentified individual then grabbed the victim's hair, leading to another brief struggle. Police arrived and reviewed store surveillance video of the incident. Officers documented visible injuries on the victim. The suspects later turned themselves in. Investigators charged Flinchum, George, and DeJager with theft on Feb. 27. DeJager and Flinchum both face additional battery charges. Authorities say this case highlights the risks of meeting in unsecured locations for online transactions. 'Here in Gwinnett County, all of our police precincts, including our headquarters here, have designated e-commerce parking,' said Madiedo. We invite any citizen out there, if you're looking to make a transaction, sell any items or purchase an item online, meet that person at one of our designated e-commerce locations.'
