uMngeni Municipality rates rebate: Relief for farmers hit by FMD outbreak

The uMngeni Local Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, has announced a rates rebate for farmers that have been impacted by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

It said the rate rebate is intended to provide meaningful short-term relief while broader provincial and national interventions are implemented. The province's agricultural industry has been ravaged by the outbreak of FMD.

In a statement, the municipality said: “The uMngeni Municipality welcomes the recent declaration of a National State of Disaster. This declaration is an important step in strengthening coordinated efforts to contain the disease, accelerate vaccine rollout, and protect South Africa’s livestock industry.

“In support of local farmers impacted by the outbreak, the municipality has introduced a rates rebate for affected farmers who are landowners within the uMngeni Municipal area. The agricultural sector plays a critical role in the Midlands economy, supporting jobs, food security, and rural livelihoods.

“We also recognise that movement and sale restrictions linked to Foot and Mouth Disease have placed significant financial strain on farmers, particularly in relation to cash flow and ongoing operational overheads.

“Dairy farmers have been particularly hard hit as the devastating disease affects the udders of their dairy cattle,” said the municipality.

In another statement, the Democratic Alliance (DA) constituency in the Mooi-uMngeni area said it welcomed the decisive intervention by the municipality, under the leadership of Mayor Chris Pappas.

“While local government has no direct mandate to manage animal disease outbreaks, municipalities do have a responsibility to support residents and local economies where possible. uMngeni has demonstrated what responsive, caring, and practical local governance looks like by stepping in to provide relief to farmers under severe financial strain.

“To our knowledge, uMngeni is currently the only municipality offering this form of direct rates relief to affected farmers. This initiative reflects the DA’s commitment to protecting jobs, supporting food security, and standing alongside local producers during times of crisis. We now call on other municipalities in FMD-affected areas to follow suit and consider similar relief measures within their means. Local government must play its part in supporting farmers and safeguarding rural economies,” the DA said.

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