Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has decided not to extend the national ban on the movement of cattle.
The ban was introduced three weeks ago to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which is among the world's most infectious animal illnesses. There were exceptions, including if there is a veterinary permit for direct slaughter at registered abattoirs and for slaughter for ritual purposes.
Some agriculture bodies said at the time that government should have acted sooner when the cases were first reported and thus prevented a national ban. Others complained that they were not consulted before the country-wide ban was announced suddenly.
The decision not to extend the 21-day ban is based on the work done by public and private veterinary services and animal health technicians over the past three weeks, Didiza's department said in a statement on Thursday.
The Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, for example, have not had a single case before and during the 21-day ban. In Gauteng and North West there has been suspected cases around quarantined farms and in Mpumalanga no new cases were picked up in past week.
All movement of cattle must still be accompanied by an undertaking to isolate the animals for at least 28 days before introducing them onto the main herd.
In Limpopo, the Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal disease management will continue in areas that still have active cases.
Didiza thanked traditional leaders, communities and the police for their assistance in limiting the spread of the disease.