Mbabane- A major interception of illegally traded meat has exposed the scale of cross-border smuggling threatening Eswatini’s livestock sector, with authorities seizing 3.4 tonnes valued at over E200,000.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Agriculture Minister Mandla Tshawuka warned that the illegal movement of meat is undermining national efforts to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly contagious disease with severe economic consequences.
The consignment, intercepted by law enforcement and veterinary officials, was reportedly transported without health certification or movement permits. According to Tshawuka, the meat was not sourced from regulated abattoirs but collected informally and moved through unauthorized channels.
The Minister described the perpetrators as repeat offenders exploiting porous border points, particularly around Sondlane and the Oshoek border post, raising concerns that more consignments may be slipping through undetected.
Tshawuka pointed to weak penalties as a key driver of the illicit trade, arguing that current fines fail to deter organised syndicates operating in a high-value black market. He indicated that government is working on strengthening legislation to impose harsher consequences aligned with the scale of the risk posed.
The seizure highlights broader fears within the agriculture sector, where even a small breach can reverse progress made in controlling FMD. The Minister cautioned that moving contaminated meat from restricted “Red Zones” into disease-free areas could trigger fresh outbreaks and prolong existing restrictions on livestock movement.
Such setbacks carry significant economic implications. An outbreak in a clean zone could halt beef exports and disrupt revenue streams linked to regional trade arrangements such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), potentially costing the country hundreds of millions of Emalangeni.
Tshawuka urged the public to play a more active role in reporting illegal activities, stressing that national cooperation is critical to protecting the country’s agricultural economy.
“This is not just about law enforcement, it is about safeguarding livelihoods and ensuring that our export markets remain open,” he said.
The Ministry has since intensified surveillance and enforcement measures at border points as part of a broader strategy to contain the disease and restore confidence in Eswatini’s beef industry.
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