DA Rebellion: Gauteng Members Push for Own FMD Disaster Declaration, Bypass Steenhuisen

A significant rift is emerging within the Democratic Alliance over the handling of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis, with party members in Gauteng publicly breaking ranks with their own national leader, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Frustrated by what they see as a slow and overly centralised national response, DA figures in the province are urging Gauteng authorities to “go it alone” and declare a provincial disaster.

The call, led by agricultural expert Theo de Jager and DA Gauteng agriculture spokesperson Bronwyn Engelbrecht, argues that the crisis has outgrown purely national coordination. “When a controlled disease is present in seven out of nine provinces, the system needs more than policy statements,” De Jager stated. He emphasised that provinces hold specific disaster powers that could mobilise police, close roads, and enforce movement controlstools currently not being fully utilised.

Gauteng: The Chokepoint of the Crisis

The push is grounded in Gauteng’s unique role as the epicentre of South Africa’s livestock logistics. “This province is a hub,” Engelbrecht explained. “Even if FMD starts elsewhere, animals move through Gauteng constantly.” The province hosts major auctions, feedlots, and abattoirs, making it a critical pressure point. The DA argues that vaccination drives alone are futile without the stringent, enforced movement controls that a provincial disaster declaration could unlock.

A Broken First Line of Defense

Adding urgency to their demand, the party revealed a shocking operational failure. During an oversight visit, they found the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) closed and non-operational, reportedly due to unpaid electricity bills. This centre is legally mandated to coordinate exactly this type of crisis.

“A disaster management centre exists for moments like this,” Engelbrecht said, labelling the situation a “failure in leadership.” Without an active PDMC, the province cannot legally coordinate the cross-departmental enforcementinvolving police and trafficneeded to halt the disease’s spread at roadblocks and checkpoints.

“Nobody Has Pushed the Button”

De Jager pointed out the stark gap between readiness and action. “Police commissioners are saying they are ready, but nobody has pushed the button,” he said, criticising the lack of political will to escalate the response to disaster level.

This internal DA pressure highlights the growing tension between the party’s national leadership in government and its provincial structures facing the crisis on the ground. It frames Steenhuisen’s national approach as potentially too bureaucratic and slow, while positioning the Gauteng DA as advocating for decisive, localized emergency action to protect livelihoods and food security. The move signals that for some in the party, containing the outbreak is now more important than party unity.

{Source: Citizen}

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