JOHANNESBURG – Afriforum says it welcomes the decision to shorten Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's term.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the civil rights group said the proposed appointment of Willy Aucamp, the current Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, to replace Mr Steenhuisen is a “positive development”.
Afriforum said such a move would be a positive development in efforts to “address the hitherto poorly managed foot-and-mouth disease crisis and achieve real solutions for the agricultural sector.”
Lambert de Klerk, environmental affairs manager at AfriForum, said the Department of Agriculture's response to the foot-and-mouth disease crisis has so far been relatively ineffective.
“A grave mistake was made at a time when this department should be looking out for the interests of farmers,” Mr de Klerk said.
“However, Mr Orcan has an opportunity to rectify the situation. He must now resist the state's failing centralist approach, especially in its response to the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, and encourage and achieve the transfer of responsibility to the farmers themselves.”
AfriForum insists that a stronger and more integrated approach to FMD must now be prioritized.
“Aucamp must allow farmers to purchase and administer vaccines themselves, with the necessary oversight by authorities,” de Klerk said.
“The ministry also needs to ensure that enough vaccines are imported so that all animals can be given the necessary doses and a resurgence of the disease can be prevented.”
In addition to the urgent need for strong action in the midst of the current crisis, Afriforum said the Department of Agriculture should also prioritize:
Rebuilding and expanding local vaccine manufacturing capacity. and substantive strengthening of the state's veterinary services to ensure effective disease control, among other things.
AfriForum said it also accepts other cabinet reshuffle proposals that are beneficial to all citizens.
Earlier, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Jordyn Hill-Lewis announced that she had asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to reshuffle the party's representatives in the Government of National Unity (GNU) cabinet.
The DA leader's demands included the demotion of former DA leader John Steenhuisen as agriculture minister.
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DA leader and Cape Town Mayor Hill Lewis said he had written to Ramaphosa outlining performance-oriented reforms aimed at strengthening the party's contribution to the GNU.
Key suggestions include:
Willy Aucamp, currently Minister of Forests, Fisheries and Environment, will be transferred to Minister of Agriculture to address the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis and export challenges in the sector. John Steenhuisen demoted to Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Appointment of David Maynier to the Environmental Portfolio (Forestry, Fisheries and Environment). Additional Deputy Ministerial Coordination including Mr. Yusuf Qasim on Higher Education;
President Ramaphosa is reportedly considering the request positively and a decision is expected soon.
Hill-Lewis, who replaced Steenhuizen as DA leader in April 2026, chose to remain mayor of Cape Town rather than take up a post in the GNU cabinet.
