1. (a) There are 39 posts of which only 24 are filled.
(b) (i) The current vacancy rate is 33% that is 13 positions are not filled.
(ii) The process of filling these critical vacant posts has started. The Department will be advertising the posts within this financial year.
2. There are approximately 1150000 livestock units in Mpumalanga province with only 24 veterinarians servicing the animals which translates into approximately 48 000 livestock units per State Veterinarian. This are State Veterinarians and therefore excludes private veterinarians.
3. Yes, Mpumalanga has implemented the Compulsory Community Service. There are 24 CCS Veterinarians placed in Mpumalanga.
4. (a) Prevailing animal diseases during the past financial year in Mpumalanga were African Swine Fever. Mpumalanga province occasionally experiences outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza.
(b) Interventions to treat the diseases includes strategic guidance, provision of technical advice, assistance with procurement of the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine and continual monitoring and reporting.