The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has called for a formal investigation into an email allegedly sent within the Department of Agriculture, following claims that it contained a dismissive remark about a request relating to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The email, reportedly authored by the Chief of Staff to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Jana le Roux, has been circulating on social media. It is addressed to senior departmental officials, including the Director-General, Ramasodi Mooketsa, and Deputy Director-General Dipepeneneng Serage.
According to the contents shared publicly, the message included an attachment from an agricultural stakeholder requesting engagement on the department’s FMD vaccination strategy. However, it is the accompanying note that has sparked controversy, which reads: “Attached just received for some amusement”.
The VF Plus has questioned the authenticity and appropriateness of the message, arguing that if verified, it would indicate a troubling disregard for the severity of the livestock disease outbreak and the concerns of the agricultural sector.
The party said the incident reinforces a broader perception that the ministry and department are not adequately taking stakeholder input seriously during a crisis affecting the farming industry. It described the alleged tone of the email as unacceptable given the scale and economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa.
VF Plus has formally requested that the matter be investigated and that appropriate action be taken should the email be confirmed as authentic. The party further argued that accountability should not be limited to a single individual, stating that a wider review of departmental culture may be necessary to address what it describes as systemic disrespect and poor judgment within the administration.
It added that foot-and-mouth disease represents a serious biosecurity and economic threat, and should never be treated lightly in official communications between government and industry stakeholders.