Small-scale pig farmers in Ugie in the Eastern Cape are calling for urgent government intervention following the suspected outbreak of African swine fever in the area.
Farmers say large numbers of pigs have died, leaving communities that rely on livestock for their livelihoods increasingly concerned about their financial security.
Some farmers have reportedly resorted to slaughtering their pigs before they develop symptoms, in an attempt to limit further losses and prevent the suspected disease from spreading.
Small-scale farmer Xolisa Tshongolo says the situation has become increasingly worrying, with pigs showing unusual behaviour before dying.
“We have recently noticed that our pigs are losing weight and they are not eating. They just stay away from home, they run away to the bushes to stay there and when you try to bring them back, you find that they are mentally disturbed,” Tshongolo said.
He said the deaths have affected entire groups of pigs, including piglets.
“Our pigs are dying like nothing. All of them are gone, even the one that has just gave birth with piglets, all of them are gone now,” he added.
The provincial government has since deployed veterinary officials and animal health technicians to Ugie to investigate the reported deaths.
Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture spokesperson Atule Joka says samples will be collected and sent to a laboratory to establish whether African swine fever is responsible.
“The department has dispatched its veterinary officials and animal health technicians to conduct the assessment to try and get to the bottom of the issue,” Joka said.
“At this stage, it is suspected that it is African swine fever due to the fact that it has a high mortality rate and it also spreads quickly from one pig to another, especially in a confined area,” he added.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates once laboratory testing has confirmed the cause of the pig deaths.
Farmers are meanwhile appealing for swift intervention to contain the suspected outbreak and protect their livestock and livelihoods.