Despite lack of compliance, the Mangaung Metro’s mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, is set on reopening the Bloemfontein Zoo.
Thomas Ferreira, DA councillor in Mangaung, said the party is very concerned about this move.
“Should the zoo re-open, the mayor is in danger of facing severe legal action as stated in the Municipal Public Accounts Commitees (MPAC) report,” he said in a news statement.
This comes after a council meeting of the Mangaung Metro on Friday, 5 July, at which the report by MPAC on the zoo was submitted.
According to the report, the committee visited the zoo on 22 November and listed several problems.
It was stated that the new location of the animals removed by the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) had never been communicated to the metro.
Ferreira said the MPAC report clearly stated there was an open case at the Parkweg Police Station, filed by the SPCA, concerning animal abuse and neglect charges against the metro.
The zoo was closed in December 2019 following an outcry from the public about the animals not receiving food. Community groups came together collecting food and other donations so that the animals could be fed. In the end, the metro had no choice but to close the zoo, with only a few buffalo remaining since.
“Should the zoo reopen in its current state, it is evident that the SPCA and Destea will continue the case.”
Ferreira said there were three reasons why the metro did not comply with permit and legislation requirements as outlined in the MPAC report, and therefore could not reopen the zoo:
- The metro does not have the necessary permits for the animals and lacks the opperational approval of the Pan African Association of Zoos (Paaza).
- There is currently no budget for maintenance and upgrades at the zoo. The MPAC report indicates that many enclosures need to be demolished and rebuilt to meet the norms and standards for operating a zoological facility. Delays in payment for feed, resulting in feed shortages, pose ongoing problems.
- According to Paaza, there should be an attending veterinarian available for animal disease control, proper dietary composition and formulation, as well as health care.
The DA upholds the five Freedoms of Animal Welfare and will not allow it to be jeopardised.
“We will closely monitor the zoo to ensure that animal welfare standards are met, and will report any contraventions to the relevant stakeholders.”
