According to an invoice issued by the Lowveld SPCA, City of Mbombela owes it R3 112 465 for services rendered on its behalf during the financial year 2019/20.
The municipality claims it has not received the needed documents to make payments, but the SPCA claims it has sent the correct documents for the year 2019/20.
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There exists a memorandum of agreement between the municipality and the Lowveld SPCA (which consists of the Nelspruit SPCA, White River SPCA and Barberton SPCA) wherein the responsibility of managing and maintaining the pounds in these respective towns has been transferred from the CoM to these SPCAs.
The most recent agreement was signed on July 27, 2018 and is valid for three years; meaning it expires next Tuesday (July 27).
The agreement states that the organisations will use the immovable properties (the municipal property the SPCAs are located on) and the municipal services provided therein for free.
Each party involved in the agreement has also had its obligations set out clearly.
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Among the municipality’s responsibilities are the following:
- During every financial year, which commences on July 1, it will make an advance payment to the Lowveld SPCA. The amount payable shall be calculated according to the audited operational costs of each SPCA for its financial year ending March 31 of the same year, for the previous year, plus the municipality’s percentage budget escalation, unless agreed otherwise.
From the SPCA’s side, it needs to submit, among others, audited financial statement yearly as well as report on expenditures monthly.
According to the Lowveld SPCA, the required payment has not been made for the past two years, 2019/20 and 2020/21.
“We cannot even send out an invoice for this year as we have not received the money for last year,” said Estelle de Villiers, chairperson of the White River SPCA.
These organisations rely heavily on their municipal payment for their day-to-day operations and are being forced to constantly ask the community for help. This is evident from their recurring plights on social media for the public’s help, whether it be for animals’ food or vehicle repair.
During its annual general meeting this past weekend, Barberton SPCA’s secretary, Marlies Liebenberg, mentioned that they have to vacate the current property by the end of the year and move to municipal owned property as the current property is privately owned.
“We will need to erect permanent structures on the new property, but the funds for this are lacking.”
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They have also suffered multiple break-ins over the last month. Thankfully the community has been supportive in helping in this regard.
The public has also stepped in to help with Nelspruit SPCA’s food shortages.
Lowveld SPCA has been trying to reach the CoM to discuss not only the outstanding payments, but also the renewal of the memorandum of agreement that is set to expire, but to no avail. Copies of correspondence in this regard was made available to Lowvelder.
Cllr Tersia Marshall said this is not a new issue between the municipality and the SPCA and the treatment these three branches are getting from the municipality is shameful.
“On previous occasions the SPCAs have almost had to close their doors due to the agreed payment just not coming through.
“The service the Lowveld SPCA is rendering on behalf of the municipality is extremely necessary and we really need the CoM’s cooperation in making this payment to ensure the continuation of the SPCAs’ services.”
The CoM spokeperson, Joseph Ngala, said it is regrettable and unfortunate that contractual matters between the City of Mbombela and SPCAs now have to be resolved in the media.
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“The agreement is very specific on how dispute resolutions are handled and we urge the SPCA to follow the process as outlined under section 9 of the agreement. Section 6 of the agreement cites a number of documents that the SPCA should provide as part of the obligations which they must first fulfil.
“The agreement requires that the SPCA should provide monthly reports and submit audited financial statements at the end of March of each of year. The City is yet to receive such reports from the SPCA.”
Addressing the matter of the memorandum of agreement that is set to expire, Ngala said it is “premature to discuss future agreement at this stage” because of the outstanding matters.
De Villiers said regardless that this year’s documentation, which she admitted might not be in order, all documents for the year 2019/20 are in order. The municipality was not specific when it came to years.
Ngala said the relevant officials of the City will remain open to discussions with any party should the need arise.
“The SPCA should have approached the office of the city manager if it felt that meeting arrangements are not honoured. Even during lockdown situations virtual meetings continue to take place with external stakeholders.”
