The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is recruiting four Veterinary Public Health Officers to strengthen the inspection and auditing of slaughter facilities in South Africa. Based at the department’s head office in Polokwane, the positions offer an annual salary of R413,001. Applications close on 7 August 2026.
Before meat reaches a household, restaurant or supermarket, it passes through a chain of controls intended to protect consumers and prevent products of animal origin from becoming a source of disease.
At abattoirs, Veterinary Public Health Officers help ensure that slaughter operations comply with hygiene, animal-health and food-safety requirements. Their work can identify weaknesses in facilities, improve professional practices and reduce risks along the meat value chain.
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is seeking four professionals to fill these roles at its head office in Polokwane.
The vacancies are advertised under reference LDARD 28/7/2026 and classified at Salary Level 8. The official recruitment notice lists an annual remuneration of R413,001 for each position.
Four positions based in Polokwane
The successful candidates will join the provincial veterinary public health system and support the regulation of slaughter establishments.
Unlike a purely clinical animal-health position, this role focuses primarily on the point where animal health, food production and public health meet.
The officers will work with abattoirs and slaughter facilities, examining whether operational procedures, infrastructure and hygiene practices comply with applicable standards.
Their responsibilities will combine field inspections, institutional audits, technical awareness activities and administrative reporting.
Main responsibilities
According to the official vacancy circular, the Veterinary Public Health Officers will be responsible for four principal areas of work:
- inspecting abattoirs and other slaughter facilities;
- conducting audits of slaughter establishments;
- providing veterinary public health training and awareness;
- carrying out administrative and related duties.
Inspections and audits are essential for assessing whether slaughter facilities are operating under acceptable sanitary conditions. They can cover the handling of animals, slaughter procedures, cleanliness, waste management, record-keeping and measures designed to prevent contamination.
Training and awareness activities are equally important. Sustainable compliance cannot depend only on identifying deficiencies. Abattoir personnel, managers and other stakeholders must understand the reasons behind veterinary public health requirements and how to apply them consistently.
The officers will therefore need to communicate technical findings clearly and support improvements in professional practices.
A frontline role in food safety
Veterinary public health connects animal health with human health.
Abattoirs are strategic control points because diseases, unsafe practices or failures in hygiene can affect workers, consumers and the wider food system.
The professionals appointed to these positions will contribute to the quality and safety of products of animal origin while supporting the public authorities responsible for regulating slaughter facilities.
The role also fits within the One Health approach, which recognises the links between animal health, human health and the environment.
Effective veterinary public health services require more than laboratory tests or inspections. They depend on qualified professionals who can investigate problems, interpret findings, communicate risks and recommend corrective measures.
Qualifications required
Applicants must have completed Grade 12 and hold an appropriate NQF Level 6 qualification in one of the following areas:
- Environmental Health;
- Animal Health;
- Veterinary Public Health; or
- another relevant tertiary qualification recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.
Candidates must also have between one and two years of appropriate experience in a veterinary public health environment.
Professional registration is compulsory. Applicants must be registered with the relevant statutory body, either the Health Professions Council of South Africa or the South African Veterinary Council, depending on their qualification and professional category.
A valid driving licence is also required, except for persons with disabilities where the stated exemption applies.
Skills expected
The department is looking for candidates who can work confidently in both technical and administrative environments.
The vacancy identifies the following competencies:
- computer literacy;
- knowledge of quality-management systems;
- investigation and diagnostic skills;
- report-writing ability;
- analytical and interpretation skills;
- effective communication;
- strong interpersonal skills.
These competencies reflect the practical nature of veterinary public health work. Officers must be able to inspect facilities, analyse observations, document non-compliance and communicate their conclusions to different stakeholders.
A technical finding has limited value unless it is recorded accurately and translated into practical corrective action.
Salary and duty station
The four positions are based at the department’s Head Office in Polokwane, Limpopo Province.
Each position offers a salary of:
R413,001 per annum – Salary Level 8.
The official Limpopo e-Recruitment platform lists the vacancies as permanent positions.
How to apply
Candidates may apply electronically through the official Limpopo Provincial Government e-Recruitment system.
All mandatory fields on the online platform must be completed. Once an electronic application has been submitted, it is treated as final and cannot be amended or supplemented after the closing date.
Applicants choosing the manual or hand-delivery option must use the latest Z83 Application for Employment form, quote reference LDARD 28/7/2026 and attach a recently updated, comprehensive curriculum vitae.
For positions based at the Polokwane head office, manual applications may be addressed to:
The Head of Department
Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Private Bag X9487
Polokwane 0700
South Africa
Hand-delivered applications may be submitted to:
Office 48, Temo Towers, Floor 2
67/69 Biccard Street
Polokwane 0699
At the initial application stage, manual applicants should submit only the completed and signed Z83 form and a detailed CV. Certified identity, qualification and driving-licence documents will be requested from shortlisted candidates.
Application deadline
The official notice gives the following closing arrangements for 7 August 2026:
- 16:00 for walk-in or hand-delivered applications;
- 00:00 for online applications.
Because the online closing time is stated as midnight, candidates are strongly advised to submit their applications before 7 August rather than waiting until the final day.
Separate applications must be submitted when applying for more than one advertised position. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who receive no response within 90 days of the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
Enquiries
Applicants seeking further information may contact:
- Ms Modiba MM: +27 15 294 3170
- Ms Mothupi PP: +27 15 294 3100
- Ms Mothapo RL: +27 15 294 3235
- Ms Kgobe MA: +27 15 294 3347
Key information
Employer: Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Position: Veterinary Public Health Officer
Number of positions: 4
Reference: LDARD 28/7/2026
Location: Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
Salary: R413,001 per annum
Salary level: Level 8
Experience: One to two years
Professional registration: HPCSA or South African Veterinary Council
Closing date: 7 August 2026
Application method: Online, postal or hand delivery
