Cape Town's law enforcement stretched by foot-and-mouth disease response

Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies have been drawn into the response to suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease in parts of the metro, adding to the demands on services already responsible for crime prevention, road safety and emergency response.

The City of Cape Town confirmed that its enforcement agencies assisted provincial veterinary officials with livestock inspections and vaccinations in Mfuleni and Kalksteenfontein over the weekend, following suspected cases of the highly contagious animal disease.

Law Enforcement’s Animal Control Unit escorted officials from the Western Cape Agriculture Department into the affected areas on Saturday and Sunday, while Traffic and Metro Police officers assisted with roadblocks. The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre activated a Joint Operations Centre to monitor deployments.

Officers are enforcing restrictions on the movement of livestock in and out of the affected communities, with the South African Police Service acting as the lead agency and municipal services playing a supporting role.

The disease-control operations coincided with an intensive enforcement week across the metro. City enforcement agencies issued 84 856 notices and arrested 392 people for various offences.

Metro Police officers made 113 arrests and issued 3 192 notices, while Law Enforcement officers arrested 205 suspects and issued 14 428 notices.

Traffic officers issued 67 236 fines and recorded 74 arrests, including 67 for driving under the influence of alcohol, along with arrests for reckless or negligent driving and other offences. Traffic officers also impounded 250 public transport vehicles and executed 1 714 warrants of arrest.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said traffic operations were aimed at balancing disease control with broader road safety enforcement.

“Partnering with the Agriculture Department helps ensure enforcement is fair and based on clear legal requirements, such as checking vehicle fitness, verifying livestock permits and monitoring load compliance. These operations protect the agricultural economy and keep both livestock and road users safe,” Sileku said.

Over the same weekend, the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 1 663 calls for assistance, including 81 physical assault cases and 51 pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents, underscoring the range of demands on enforcement and emergency services.

Chief Director for Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout said officers were dealing with multiple risks simultaneously.

“Our traffic officers worked tirelessly this past weekend, from addressing foot-and-mouth disease risks to arresting impaired drivers, including two who attempted to offer bribes. These operations demonstrate our commitment to protecting both communities and the agricultural sector,” she said.

Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the joint operation reflected the breadth of the City’s public safety role.

“During the past week, our enforcement officers on patrol issued close to 85 000 notices and arrested 392 suspects for various offences. Apart from doing crime prevention duty in communities and on the City’s roads, our Safety and Security officers also assisted the provincial Agriculture Department with escorts to conduct inspections for possible livestock foot-and-mouth disease in Kalksteenfontein and Mfuleni,” Smith said.

He said the operation highlighted cooperation across agencies to protect communities and safeguard the livestock of both informal and formal farmers.

The City reminded residents to report emergencies or suspicious activities to the Public Emergency Communication Centre, providing details such as the time, exact location and a brief description.

Foot-and-mouth disease affects cloven-hoofed animals and does not pose a risk to humans, but authorities have warned that strict controls remain essential to prevent further spread and to protect food security and the agricultural economy.

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