Minister Steenhuisen announces the new South African Veterinary Council

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has formally constituted the new South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

The term of office of the newly council will commence on February 1, 2026 and will run until January 31, 2029.

Steenhuisen said the new council brings together a broad and diverse range of expertise drawn from across the veterinary and para-veterinary professions, academia, regulatory practice and law.

“I am confident that this council is fit for purpose and its composition reflects a careful balance between professional experience, technical expertise and independent oversight,” said Steenhuisen.

The department said that views and representations were received from across the sector during this period, the minister applied his mind independently to the recommendations before him and was guided at all times by the requirements of the legislation and the long-term interests of the professions and the public. 

The announcement of the council comes after a consent order was granted in the North Gauteng High Court last year after Steenhuisen had rejected the election of the new council in August and ordered that the election be rerun.

In terms of the consent order, the election results was allowed to stand and the court instructed Steenhuisen to appoint a council in terms of agreed timelines.

The minister confirmed that the council is constituted as follows:

Ministerial Designees:

Officer of the Department of Agriculture (veterinarian): Dr Motsisi-Mehlape

Veterinarians or veterinary specialists designated from elected members :Dr R Mulder; Dr B Lourens; Dr JA Fraser

Person with knowledge of law: Adv. R Maruma

Veterinarians or veterinary specialists designated from nominations: Dr NP Moswa-Kato; Dr L Kgatswetswe; Dr J van Deemter; Dr N Mnisi

Non-veterinarian designated from nominations: Prof. S Willows-Munro

University-nominated veterinarian (University of Pretoria): Prof. V Naidoo

Appointees as nominated and/or elected:

Veterinarians elected by their peers: Prof. JP Schoeman; Dr P van der Merwe; Dr J Basch

Animal Health Technician: Mr T Serebolo

Laboratory Animal Technologist: Ms B Mogodi

Veterinary Technologist: Mr LS Mokami

Veterinary Nurse: Sr E Bornman

Veterinary Physiotherapist: Ms J Hager

South African Veterinary Association nominee: Dr L de Bruyn

The minister expressed his confidence that the newly constituted council will execute its duties without fear or favour, and with the independence, integrity and professionalism required of a statutory regulator entrusted with safeguarding the standards of the veterinary and para-veterinary professions.

“The establishment of this council marks an important step in restoring stability, credibility and effective governance within the veterinary regulatory environment,” said Steenhuisen.

The department said the induction and inaugural meeting of the new council will take place in February 2026, enabling the council to commence its work without further delay and to deal with outstanding matters inherited from the previous term in accordance with its statutory mandate.

For more stories from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY