Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has taken decisive action following serious concerns about the recent South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) election process.
Allegations include inconsistent and conflicting communications to veterinary professionals regarding voting deadlines, which may have excluded some eligible voters. Further questions have been raised about candidate eligibility, the fairness and independence of the verification process, and the credibility of the election oversight panel.
Stakeholders also say the election process lacked sufficient clarity and accessibility, potentially undermining the legitimacy and representativity of the SAVC.
In a release issued this morning, Steenhuisen stressed that when governance concerns arise regarding statutory bodies, it is the executive’s duty to intervene to maintain public trust and institutional integrity.
Under regulation 5 of the SAVC Election Regulations, the registrar must ensure that candidate nominations:
- comply with regulation 4 requirements,
- are made by enfranchised voters, and
- meet the qualifications outlined in section 6 of the Act.
The minister has called for further scrutiny of the registrar’s role in verifying these conditions. He also suggested that an inquiry into the registrar’s conduct may be warranted, including consideration of whether the officeholder should personally bear costs resulting from any flawed procedures.
In response, Steenhuisen has:
- Requested a full report from the department of agriculture, including legal advice on the election’s validity and procedural soundness,
- Notified the portfolio committee on agriculture in parliament to ensure transparency and enable legislative oversight,
- Asked the department’s director-general to initiate a new election process should the current process be found invalid.
“Good governance is not optional; it is foundational,” said Steenhuisen. “Public confidence in statutory regulatory bodies such as the SAVC rests on transparent, credible, and procedurally fair processes. My actions are intended to ensure these standards are upheld without compromise.”
The minister also reaffirmed his commitment to working with veterinary stakeholders to restore trust in the SAVC and ensure future elections meet the highest standards of accountability and independence, in line with the King IV Code.
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