Johannesburg – AfriForum says it welcomes the decision to cut short John Steenhuisen’s term as Minister of Agriculture.
In a statement on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, the civil rights organisation said the suggested appointment of Willie Aucamp, current Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to replace Steenhuisen was a “positive development”.
AfriForum said such a move would be a positive development in the effort to address the foot-and-mouth crisis, which ”has been poorly managed thus far, and to achieve real solutions for the agricultural sector”.
According to Lambert de Klerk, Manager of Environmental Affairs at AfriForum, the Department of Agriculture’s handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis has not borne much fruit so far.
“Serious mistakes were made at a time when this department had to look after the interests of farmers,” stated De Klerk.
“However, Aucamp now has the opportunity to rectify the situation. He must now resist the state’s unsuccessful centralist approach, in particular in handling the foot-and-mouth crisis, and encourage and achieve the devolution of responsibilities to farmers themselves.”
AfriForum insists that a stronger and more integrated approach to foot-and-mouth disease should now be prioritised.
“Aucamp must ensure that farmers – with the necessary monitoring by the department – are allowed to purchase and administer the vaccine themselves,” De Klerk said.
“The department must also ensure that enough vaccine is imported so that all animals can be given the required doses and the re-spread of the disease can be prevented.”
In addition to the immediate need for strong action in the midst of the current crisis, AfriForum said the Department of Agriculture should also prioritise the following:
- the rebuilding and expansion of local vaccine manufacturing capacity; and
- the substantive strengthening of state veterinary services to ensure, among other things, effective disease control.
AfriForum said it also acknowledges the other suggested Cabinet changes that were advantageous to all citizens.
Earlier today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis announced that he has requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to reshuffle the party’s representatives in the Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet.
The DA leader’s request included the demotion of former DA leader John Steenhuisen from Minister of Agriculture.
reuters.com +1
DA leader, Hill-Lewis, who is also the Mayor of Cape Town, said he had written to Ramaphosa outlining performance-driven changes aimed at strengthening his party’s contribution to the GNU.
Key proposals include:
- Moving Willie Aucamp, currently Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, to Minister of Agriculture to address the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis and export challenges in the sector.
- Demoting John Steenhuisen to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition.
- Appointing David Maynier to the environment portfolio (Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment).
- Additional deputy ministerial adjustments, including that of Yusuf Cassim, for higher education.
President Ramaphosa is reportedly considering the request positively, with a decision expected soon.
Hill-Lewis, who succeeded Steenhuisen as DA leader in April 2026, has chosen to remain Cape Town mayor rather than take a GNU Cabinet post.
