The Benoni SPCA AGM, a usually poorly attended event was abuzz this past Saturday. There was no room for sitting, and people stood outside.
As the current chairperson began the meeting, the fired up public, who had obviously done a bit of homework, immediately challenged the agenda, which forced National Council to step in as allegations of corruption and cruelty started to fly.
The meeting was stopped as they lost control, and moved to the SPCA premises, where non-members were shut out and forced to stand on the pavement, well into the evening. (Thank you do the kind gent for sponsoring the coffee and chairs, and to the other gent who provided cupcakes for a birthday).
What I found quite astounding was the unwillingness of National Council to take cognisance of the community’s anger at the current state of affairs, telling them to put their grievances in writing to the media liaison officer, who was subsequently the subject of many jeers from the public.
Shame on you SPCA, have you forgotten what this is ACTUALLY all about? Fix this mess with competent, compassionate people, and don’t victimise those who do the job for the right reason.