Friends of Free Wildlife holds public meeting

The public meeting came after debates and concerns from the community about FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre’s temporary closure by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and the National council of SPCA’s (NSPCA) on 10 November last year due to not possessing a legal permit to operate, which led the group to give the public a platform to raise their concerns.

“The future of FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre holds an interest for many members of the public in many differing aspects,” said chairperson of the group, Margi Brocklehurst.

The public meeting was opened by a partner of Spellas Lengert Kubler Braun Attorneys, Jean Kubler, who offered his pro bono services to Brocklehurst along with Free Wildlife supporters. Kubler discussed ideas of the legal way forward, where he supported an application to the courts to have the current FreeMe board members removed from office and further encouraged that the board be held personally liable for any legal fees incurred.

During the meeting, a number of concerns were voiced about the animals that are still at the centre. Since the temporary closure, one of the concerns was the care given to the 150 tortoises, 15 meerkats and jackals which were permitted to remain behind.

The group encouraged members of the public to contact the relevant authorities at the NSPCA and GDARD with their concerns about those animals.

“The meeting was very interactive with members of the public offering advice and querying how the centre was ever allowed to get to such a position. The answer seems to stem from 2013’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) when the Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) was changed to exclude the members of the company from being able to vote for board members, it only allows for board members to vote for other board members, which is something Friends of Free Wildlife are determined to amend at the upcoming AGM on 28 January at 5pm at FreeMe rehabilitation centre,” Brocklehurst said.

The meeting was attended by members of the body corporate from Paulshof Hill, ratepayers from surrounding wards, former chairperson of the FreeMe board Stuart Hancock, members of the press, disenfranchised volunteers and faithful volunteers to the incumbent board.

“We request that all of those who are behind our cause to come and gather in support at the AGM,” Brocklehurst said.

When contacted for comment, Margo Bansda, general manager of FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre said, “We have a temporary permit issued by GDARD to take care of the animals until the conditions are accurate for their release.

The animals who are here in the centre are the animals that were rehabilitated before the temporary closure and no other animals have entered these premises since 10 November.

“The NSPCA approves of the conditions and care given to the animals, and veterinarians who regularly check the animals approve of the conditions that the animals are in.”

The Friends of Free Wildlife have held two public meetings to date and are pleased that their cause is gaining momentum and the public’s sympathy.