Leaked e-mail from agriculture chief of staff sparks outrage over FMD response

Leaked internal correspondence from the Department of Agriculture has provoked strong criticism from the farming community and opposition politicians after the chief of staff to the minister forwarded an e-mail about the government’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination strategy with a mocking note.

What happened

The correspondence originated from Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen’s chief of staff, Jana le Roux. The e-mail, which was forwarded with the message, “attached just received for some amusement”, responded to a request from a private-sector agricultural group for engagement on South Africa’s FMD vaccination strategy.

Immediate reaction

The farming community reacted with anger, with many saying the minister’s response to the leak lacks remorse and authenticity. Several people called for disciplinary action against the official who wrote the e-mail.

Minister’s comment

Minister Steenhuisen posted on his X account that:

“The e-mail was in bad taste, and I have requested the person concerned to apologise to the respective parties. We must continue to show mutual respect and always act in good faith. Because it is only through collaboration we can overcome major obstacles in the sector,”

and he said he had requested an apology from the person concerned.

Political response and demands for a probe

Freedom Front Plus agriculture spokesperson Wynand Boshoff demanded an investigation into the e-mail. Boshoff said the leaked message was addressed to the director-general of agriculture, Mooketsa Ramasodi, and deputy director-general Dipepeneneng Serage, and that it contained a request from an agricultural group for engagement on the department’s vaccination strategy.

Boshoff said:

“If this e-mail is authentic, it confirms the general impression Minister Steenhuisen, his department are not taking the agricultural sector’s input regarding the crisis seriously. It demonstrates deep-rooted and reprehensible contempt,”

and the party demanded a probe and that action be taken if the e-mail is found to be genuine.

He added:

“FDM disease is anything but a joke. It is a disaster of enormous proportions.”

Ongoing scrutiny

The leaked correspondence has intensified scrutiny on Minister Steenhuisen and his department’s handling of FMD and industry concerns. Calls for accountability and a formal investigation into the e-mail were already being made in the wake of the leak.

Key facts:

• The leaked e-mail was written by Jana le Roux, chief of staff to Minister John Steenhuisen.
• It was forwarded with the remark: “attached just received for some amusement.”
• Minister Steenhuisen called the e-mail “in bad taste” and asked the person concerned to apologise.
• Freedom Front Plus spokesperson Wynand Boshoff has demanded an investigation and possible action if the e-mail is authentic.