The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) virus was confirmed on January 29, 2026, when veterinary officials detected an outbreak among domestic cattle at the Jakalas 1 crush in Jakalas village, situated in the Masungu area of the North-East District.
By January 31, laboratory testing identified the causative strain as the SAT1 serotype, prompting the immediate suspension of Zone 6b’s prized FMD-free status.
FMD remains one of Botswana’s most pressing veterinary and economic challenges. Given the country’s heavy reliance on exporting premium beef to high-value international markets such as the European Union and Great Britain, maintaining rigorous disease-control measures is critical.
Despite government assurances at recent consultative Pitso meetings that interventions are successfully containing the outbreak in the northern zones, the reality on the ground tells a more troubling story for the beef industry and local farmers.
Johnson Motshwarakgole, a veteran trade unionist and labor rights advocate, responded to inquiries by recalling Botswana’s previous commitment to fencing. “In 1968, Botswana had fences, and every year the country budgeted specifically to improve cording fences across the country,” he said.
“The fences are done, but if you go around the country now, you find people employed and receiving a salary working at those gates that are totally destroyed. We advised the Botswana government, the Ministry of Agriculture, that when FMD comes, we are going to be in trouble because when you leave Jakalas going to Shashe River, there is no fence, gates, or anything. Thereafter, they employed temporary staff who have no knowledge of animal health.”
Mr. Motshwarakgole emphasized that the minister had indicated there has been no budget for fences or gates for over seven years.
“Employees are in trouble because no one is being paid. There is no program to assist farmers to at least pay employees or fulfill other duties.”
He noted that Botswana has confronted pandemics before, such as COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, and argued that FMD deserves similar attention.
“This is a national disaster. It calls for immediate attention. Our elders are in trouble; there is nothing to sustain them. There should be some scheme or fund to assist them. However, we will not falter; we will continue to advise consistently.”
In response, the government has approved a P97 million (approximately $7.2 million USD) emergency response fund. To coordinate the crisis, the Office of the President established a central FMD Command Centre to manage inter-ministerial logistics, operate dedicated call centers, and launch a real-time digital tracking dashboard to provide the public with transparent updates on affected zones.