The farm has been put under quarantine and an investigation has been launched to identify any contacts.

Spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo says farms in Gauteng, North West and Free State have also been placed under precautionary quarantine.

"The ASF-negative status of these farms will be confirmed before the precautionary quarantine can be lifted. The source of the infection on the positive farm has not yet been identified, but it is believed that the infection was already on the farm since mid-December.

"All pig farmers and pig keepers are again urged to only buy pigs directly from known healthy herds and to prevent contact between their pigs and other pigs or wildlife."

Ngcobo says farmers must not allow anyone to come near the area where the pigs are kept.

"Pig owners are encouraged to be extra vigilant and to report any increased pig deaths or unusual symptoms to the local state veterinary office. 

"The importance of biosecurity is again emphasised, both to protect your own animals, and to prevent the inadvertent spread to other pigs."

Jacaranda FM