Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Thomas Ferreira and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) raised several questions at a Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Council Meeting regarding internal vacancies advertised for the Mangaung Zoo.
At the same time, the facility remains closed under a court order issued by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
The DA emphasised the following:
- The recruitment of staff cannot proceed until the necessary animal welfare permits, environmental clearance, and formal registration have been obtained to bring the Mangaung Zoo to acceptable standards.
- The recruiting of staff for a non-functioning Zoo is absurd, while critical services such as refuse collection, pothole repairs, and water leak management remain unattended.
- The question remains: how does the recruitment of Zoo staff align with the priorities outlined in Mangaung Metropolitan’s Financial Recovery Plan?
The DA remains concerned about the direction the Municipality is taking with the Mangaung Zoo, given the vague answers from Mangaung City Manager Sello More and the lack of clear plans for animal welfare.
We will continue to closely monitor Mangaung and its plans for the Zoo to ensure that animal welfare and safety standards are met and that allocated funding is used responsibly.