Pretoria: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called for a comprehensive report on the recent election process of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). Concerns have been raised about the process’s transparency and procedural integrity.

According to South African Government News Agency, issues have been identified regarding inconsistent and conflicting communications to registered veterinary professionals about voting deadlines. This confusion may have led to the exclusion of some eligible participants. Additionally, questions have arisen concerning the eligibility of certain candidates, the fairness and independence of the verification process, and the overall credibility of the selection panel responsible for overseeing the elections.

Stakeholders have also alleged insufficient clarity and accessibility in the process, potentially undermining the council’s representativity and legitimacy. The department emphasized that when credible concerns exist about a statutory body’s governance processes, it is the Executive’s duty to intervene decisively to uphold public trust and institutional integrity.

The Minister has requested a detailed report from the Department of Agriculture, including legal advice on the validity and procedural soundness of the SAVC election. He has also informed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture in Parliament of the concerns raised to ensure full transparency and enable appropriate legislative oversight. Furthermore, a formal request has been made to the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture to initiate a process to restart the SAVC election if the legal advice does not conclusively endorse the current process’s validity.

Steenhuisen stated that good governance is foundational and not optional. Public confidence in statutory regulatory bodies like the SAVC relies on transparent, credible, and procedurally fair processes. He emphasized that his actions aim to ensure these standards are upheld without compromise.