By OBAKENG MAJE
17 February 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, to urgently address the critical feed crisis at the Armoedsvlakte Livestock Research Station in Vryburg. According to the DA, the station, which is home to approximately 700 livestock animals, is facing severe nutritional shortages due to the department’s failure to procure the necessary feed, lick, and salt supplements.
The DA Constituency Head in Naledi Local Municipality, Hendriëtte van Huyssteen said the department’s administrative failure threatens both the health of the livestock and the station’s vital agricultural research. Van Huyssteen said, to ensure the health of livestock and the attainment of research objectives, Armoedsvlakte requires 2028 bags of feed, lick, and salt annually.
“These supplements are essential for maintaining the animals’ health and productivity, particularly during the winter months when natural grazing is insufficient. Shockingly, only 360 bags were procured for the entire 2024 year—a mere 18% of the required amount.
“This severe shortfall has dire consequences, including mineral deficiencies, malnutrition, arthrosis, and even death during calving.
This crisis is a direct result of provincial-level administrative failures. Budget votes under the guidance of Sambatha, have been misallocated, with funds meant for feed, lick, and salt procurement being placed on the wrong budget vote,” she said.
Van Huyssteen further said this misalignment has effectively tied the hands of the department’s supply chain office, preventing timely procurement. She added that, the DA cannot and will not sit idly by while such negligence continues.
“The MEC must be held accountable for this mismanagement. We will call on him to explain why these budget vote misallocations have persisted since his appointment and what immediate corrective steps he plans to implement.
“Furthermore, we demand a comprehensive plan to ensure that procurement processes are streamlined and that feed, lick, and salt are delivered on time for each season,” said van Huyssteen.
She said to escalate the matter, the DA will formally report the department’s administrative shortcomings to the National Minister for Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, for his monitoring and intervention, where needed. Van Huyssteen said it is crucial that national oversight helps rectify the issues at a provincial level and ensures that such failures are not repeated.
“It is unacceptable that poor governance continues to hinder agricultural progress and job creation in a province with the highest unemployment rate in South Africa at 53.6%.
“The DA will continue to fight for a well-functioning, accountable government that prioritises the needs of its people,” she said.
Van Huyssteen said they believe in a future, where the agricultural sector thrives, job opportunities are abundant, and every resident of the North West province has the chance to live a life of dignity and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako said they wish to clarify that the claim of a feed crisis at the Armoedsvlakte Livestock Research Station is inaccurate and exaggerated. Setlhako said the department has consistently procured the necessary feed, including lick and salt supplements, to support the well-being of the livestock.
“While the department, like any other government entity, has faced budgetary constraints, they remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring adequate nutrition for all animals at the station. The department acknowledges the budgetary constraints that have impacted the provision of feed.
“However, we wish to clarify that while there have been challenges, there has not been a severe shortage of feed. The department remains committed to ensuring that available resources are allocated equally to these critical state-owned farms,” said Setlhako.
She said the department has consistently procured feed for the animals at Armoedsvlakte and remains committed to their well-being. Setlhako said there has never been a failure to meet these requirements.
“In addition to previous procurements, a purchase order has been issued to secure additional feed, further supplementing the existing supply at the farm.
“For the current financial year, over six hundred bags of essential feed, including lick and salt supplements, have been procured for the farm in question. An active purchase order is in place to secure additional bags of this feed,” she said.
The Guardian 