It is deeply regrettable that, during an already extremely difficult time for the farming community, false allegations are being circulated on social media attempting to link me personally to the current foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Namibia.
Claims that I smuggled animals into Namibia, illegally vaccinated animals, or was responsible for introducing FMD are entirely false and without factual basis.
For clarity, the first positive case was detected during a routine veterinary inspection at Graswater, a farm belonging to my mother. We have records and supporting evidence regarding animal movements, and neither I nor anyone acting on my behalf has smuggled livestock or game onto any of our farms or administered FMD vaccines illegally.
Since that first detectio
n, testing by the veterinary authorities has identified positive cases on numerous farms across a wide geographical area. The affected area now extends along a substantial part of the Orange River region, from the Warmbad area towards Ariamsvlei.
Veterinary specialists have advised us that, considering the extent of the geographical spread, the virus may already have been circulating for a considerable period before the first positive case was detected.
The first farm on which FMD happens to be detected should therefore not automatically be assumed to be the source of the outbreak.
Two farms associated with me subsequently tested positive, as have many other farms in the region. A positive test does not establish where the virus originated or who introduced it.
We have co-operated fully with the Directorate of Veterinary Services from the outset and will continue to comply with lawful testing, quarantine and disease-control measures.
The origin and transmission of an FMD outbreak of this scale are matters for qualified veterinary experts and the competent authorities to determine through proper epidemiological investigation. Speculation on social media does not establish facts.
I therefore respectfully ask people to stop circulating unverified allegations involving my name. Anyone who genuinely possesses evidence of unlawful conduct should provide it to the appropriate authorities.
I reserve all my rights regarding the continued publication or distribution of false and defamatory allegations.
My thoughts are with every farmer, farmworker and family affected by this outbreak. This is a time for co-operation, responsible disease control and support for the farming community – not blame based on rumours.
