The City of Ekurhuleni takes residents’ concerns about its planned auction to get rid of the City’s nature reserves excess livestock seriously, but is confident the livestock put up for auction will not be destined for the butcher market.
Earlier this week, the metro announced that over 300 excess livestock from the City’s nature reserves will be sold at an auction to be held at Bokkie Park on May 11, but the plan attracted widespread criticism from animal lovers.
Many raised concerns about the safety of the livestock for auction, while others questioned the metro’s decision and suggested that excess livestock should be donated to other animal sanctuaries.
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Reacting to the public outcry, the metro issued another statement this morning (May 5) stating the City appreciates the concerns raised but pointed out that the auction is not due to the City not being able to take care of its animals. Instead, the City will be auctioning the excess livestock following successful breeding.
“The City considered donating the livestock to other animal sanctuaries but most sanctuaries are under tremendous financial constraints. These animals are sold to professional registered farmers; the City does not breed animals destined for the butcher market,” explained metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
According to Dlamini, an extensive exercise of checks and balances had proven that many of the City’s nature reserves have excess livestock, which is not economical for the City to maintain.
“The City keeps animals in line with its keeping livestock policy approved by the council in 2009. The livestock improvement programme was introduced to breed stud quality, healthy animals for educational purposes in well-maintained facilities. “The majority of suburban residents do not have the means or opportunity to visit a farm or a nature reserve. One of the many roles of the City is to provide residents with safe open spaces and to link them to some form of education. “Maintaining these spaces costs money and the City has to find ways of subsidising the maintenance costs of these facilities. Forms of income include entrance fees, renting out of lapas, hosting open-air events, as well as breeding and selling of livestock,” added Dlamini.
The auction will take place on May 11 at the Bokkie Park in Boksburg using the services of Spokes Auctioneers.
Bidders are urged to register on their website as only registered bidders will be permitted to enter the auction yard on auction day.
Details of the auction are:
Viewing: 9am to 10am
Auction: 10am
Venue: Bokkie Park, Southvale Street, Parkdene, Boksburg
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