14/01/2026
Stray Animals Update from Cllr Nkosi (DA NMBM Spokesperson for Public Health)
14 January 2026, 20h40
**Democratic Alliance Calls for Urgent Action on Municipal Pound and Animal Control Crisis**
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis at the municipal pound, following an urgent meeting this morning. Contrary to the municipality's recent statement that the pound is "fully operational," the meeting revealed significant operational failures, contract mishandling, and a lack of planning that has left our communities in limbo.
As the DA, we are committed to advocating for transparent, efficient public services that prioritise animal welfare and community safety. The revelations from this meeting highlight a pattern of negligence by the Public Health Department, and we demand immediate accountability and corrective measures.
**Municipal Responsibilities in Animal Control**
Municipalities are responsible for key functions in animal control, including impounding stray animals, preventing disease spread, enforcing public safety, operating pounds humanely, and educating communities on responsible ownership. The current failures in these areas are not just administrative oversights-they pose severe risks to public health, agriculture, and safety.
**Heightened Risks Amid National Challenges**
The lack of effective animal control, particularly for stray cattle, is seriously concerning amid the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak spreading across the country. Without proper impoundment and monitoring, uncontrolled cattle can easily transmit FMD, threatening legitimate farmers who are diligently complying with legal requirements set by the Department of Agriculture. These compliant farmers invest significant resources in biosecurity measures, vaccinations, and herd management, only to face potential devastation from disease spread by unmanaged strays.
Furthermore, these stray cattle pose a serious risk to communities, with numerous accidents reported involving vehicles, pedestrians, and property. In urban and peri-urban areas, uncontrolled herds wandering onto roads have led to collisions, injuries, and even fatalities, exacerbating the dangers. The municipality's inaction directly undermines public safety and economic stability, leaving residents and farmers vulnerable.
**Key Findings from the Animal Pound Meeting with Officials**
1.The Pound is Not Fully Operational
Despite the statement released on 08 January 2026, the municipal pound is not fully operational. A new contractor, Busy Bee, has been appointed to replace the SPCA on a temporary basis after a brief procurement process in December, but the transition is incomplete, and, as a result, no impounding is currently taking place.
2. Equipment Shortfalls
Only two bakkies and trailers are available for animal transport, with a new truck expected this month. This limits capacity, meaning large herds cannot be properly managed-officials may resort to merely chasing animals away. In fact, that's what they are currently doing, which defeats the purpose entirely.
3. Inadequate Staffing
Only 4 staff members are allocated, working in shifts of 2—far below what was indicated in the official municipal statement. With such a crisis at hand, the expectation was that there would be greater allocation.
4. Limited Capacity
The pound can accommodate a maximum of 30 cattle, with potential for extension, but current constraints exacerbate service gaps. This is despite R2 million allocated in 2023/2024 to build a new municipal pound, which remains available-yet no business plan exists to utilise these funds effectively. This raises serious doubts whether all reported stray animals will be impounded and all complaints attended to.
5.Contract Mismanagement and Transition Failures
The Public Health Dorectorate, specifically the environmental health sub-directorate, allowed the SPCA contract to expire on 27 October 2025 without action until mid-December, despite repeated warnings from stakeholders as early as last May through November 2025. At this moment, there is no tender issued. The appointed service provider is working on a deviation on a temporary basis, while the municipality is working on a 3-year tender that they have yet to finalise. This poor contract management is shocking for such a large institution.
At this point, while there is a transition, no interim plans have been implemented, leaving no legal basis for the SPCA to continue operations while the new contractor has not yet taken over.
Another critical issue is the potential eviction of the SPCA, which has occupied the land for over 50 years-predating the municipal pound's construction. This threatens their vital role in animal welfare and community services, including significant investments in infrastructure. However, we expect the appointed service provider to immediately assist with the crisis.
To ensure continuity, as the Democratic Alliance, we have requested that more than one contact number be provided for impounding and that the municipality immediately resolve its contract with the service provider so that services can be delivered. Additionally, there is an urgent need to build a new municipal pound, with a broader scope of work to ensure all stray animals are impounded and to provide capacity for transportation as well as for keeping impounded cattle.
In the meantime, communities can use the following numbers to report stray animals. We have been assured that all stray animals will be impounded and that all calls will be attended to:
- Primary contacts: 070 079 7489. Officials will respond to all calls. There are two officials allocated, and this number can be called anytime.
- Manager responsible: Buyiswa Deliwe at 070 704 2250 (for escalation if calls are unanswered).
- Animal Control: 070 700 3736.
We have been assured that by Friday, 16 January 2026, all contractual and transition issues will be resolved. We will be scheduling further meetings and oversight visits to this effect to ensure the issues are resolved.
End of Statement
Mthokozisi Nkosi
Public Health Spokesperson
