COUNTING LOSES
Ranaka residents are counting losses after cattle and goats that crossed into an area designated as a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Red Zone were killed by veterinary officials, with affected farmers questioning why their animals were not tested before being destroyed. Residents of Ranaka and surrounding areas say the culling has left them devastated, with some households losing livestock they had depended on for years as a source of income, food and financial security.
They were informed that the tarred Mogobane-Kanye road would effectively separate the Green Zone from the Red Zone, with the quarry side designated as the Red Zone while the opposite side remained a Green Zone. They argue, however, that no FMD case had been detected in their immediate area and that the animals crossed the road because they regularly went to the river to drink water. The affected residents say that from around mid-August, large numbers of livestock crossed the road, resulting in their subsequent destruction. The reported losses vary from household to household, with some farmers claiming to have lost 15 cattle, while others say they lost as many as 75 goats. In some cases, kids were reportedly left behind after their mothers were killed. One farmer, Tumelo Sejabosigo, who lives in Ranaka said 13 of his goats were killed, leaving him with 10 kids.
Sejabosigo said he would never forget August 31, arguing that the animals should have been contained and tested before any decision was taken to destroy them. “Our rights have been trampled on,” he said. For elderly resident Tankisang Tsokwane of Tsogo ward, the loss has been even more painful. Tsokwane said he had bought his 14 cattle when they were still young and strong and had relied on them as his last remaining source of hope in retirement. “Seven of them were expectant. I even told those who were shooting to either kill me instead. I have never experienced such pain in my life. I was even hospitalised after the incident,” Tsokwane said. “We have been reduced to poverty by the government. Our hearts are still painful. At least they could have tested our cattle,” he said.
Residents told The Midweek Sun that whatever measures were applied at Ramatlabama could also have been considered in Ranaka instead of immediately resorting to culling. During The Midweek Sun's visit to the village, residents openly expressed their distress, recounting how their livestock were shot and subsequently buried in an open pit. Ranaka Headman of Arbitration Emanuel Gagoangwe accused authorities of rushing the process. He said villagers had generally complied with instructions to keep their animals contained, despite problems with the fencing separating the two areas. Gagoangwe said the fence had holes through which livestock could pass and questioned why stricter measures were allegedly taken against livestock owners before the fence was fully repaired.
“If they are saying across the road is a Red Zone, we are surprised because donkey carts cross daily. People go to their lands and return to the village after some time, crossing through the area. No precautions are taken. Our animals have been killed for no reason,” he cried. Village councillor Motlotlegi Kgole said residents had previously been informed that authorities were still working on the fence separating the Green and Red Zones and that stricter measures would follow once the work was completed. Kgole claimed that more than 100 goats and cattle were killed and described the action as a harsh control measure that disproportionately affected poor livestock owners. He said some residents were allegedly forced to sign documents stating that their animals had been killed for FMD-related reasons despite the livestock never being tested.
Village chief Moemedi Telekelo, who also lost goats, said residents had previously been warned to take greater care of their livestock. He said some residents did not take the warnings seriously, resulting in their animals crossing into the restricted area.
Telekelo said authorities were now discussing a hefty charge that affected residents could face because of livestock crossing into the Red Zone, although negotiations were continuing because the amount could place an additional burden on villagers.
The concerns come as the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture continues to tighten measures aimed at containing FMD.
In a September 4, 2026 press release, Director of Veterinary Services Dr Kobedi Segale announced suspected FMD cases at several crushes in Disease Control Zone 11 in the Kgatleng District.
The suspected cases were reported at Marapong crush in the Oodi/Dikwididi extension area and at Rabotsiripa, Masarweng and Tomosi crushes in the Mochudi extension area. The Ministry said investigations were expected to take between two and three weeks. It subsequently revised livestock movement controls, prohibiting the movement of cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals within Zone 11, excluding the containment zone, while also restricting movement in Zones 8, 9 and 10.
The Ministry has urged farmers and members of the public to comply with the revised disease-prevention measures, remain vigilant and monitor livestock for signs of illness. At the time of going to press, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture had not responded to questions on residents’ concerns, including whether the affected livestock had been tested before being killed, the circumstances surrounding the culling and whether the farmers would be compensated.