By Thembi Siaga and Maanda Bele
When Lutendo Mundzhelele, a cattle farmer from Makonde, noticed frothy saliva dripping from his animals' mouths, he feared foot-and-mouth disease. One cow could no longer walk, its body trembling. For him and around 40 other local farmers, losing livestock would mean losing their livelihood.
Mundzhelele has farmed since 1999, taking over the herd left by his late father. Like many rural farmers, his cattle are his main source of income, paying for food, school fees and emergencies. The sight of sick animals left him fearful.
Two weeks ago, he noticed one cow struggling to walk. Soon after, more animals showed signs of illness. He contacted the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), whio sent officials to his farm. One critically ill cow was vaccinated.
The situation worsened the next day, with 36 more cows affected. LDARD returned to vaccinate all of Mundzhelele's cattle and other herds in the area as many local farmers depend on livestock for survival.
Because of the outbreak, Mundzhelele was unable to sell cattle during the festive season, a crucial period for income.
Tshianeo Walter Mathidi, chairperson of the Developing Farmers Union, said restrictions linked to the outbreak had disrupted livestock sales across Vhembe District. "Since the outbreak, we now have restrictions on how we sell. The situation has affected the entire district," he said.
Last week, LDARD confirmed multiple foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Limpopo. Three incidents are under investigation and control by provincial veterinary services. One occurred in Khubvi and in Makonde village, within the high-surveillance area of the FMD-free zone, with control measures implemented immediately.
A second outbreak was detected at an auction facility in Vivo. Trace-back investigations revealed the infected cattle came from a property in Alldays, which, along with linked farms, is under strict veterinary monitoring.
The third outbreak occurred at two neighbouring feedlots, Leeupoort and Witklip, in Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality, Waterberg District. Veterinary teams are conducting epidemiological investigations and implementing containment measures.
LDARD spokesperson Moshupologo Mothotse said all affected farms, feedlots and linked properties had been quarantined. The movement of cloven-hoof animals, their products, and potentially contaminated materials is prohibited.
She said the Veterinary Operations Committee and Joint Operations Committee had been activated to coordinate response efforts, with vaccination campaigns rolled out in high-risk areas. Farmers and communities have been urged to report symptoms such as fever, excessive salivation, lameness, and mouth lesions, and to cooperate during inspections and vaccinations. Farmers are also advised not to move livestock without permission and to strengthen biosecurity measures.
"Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose a risk to human health, but it has serious economic implications for farmers and the livestock sector," Mothotse said.