The SPCA in Komani (formerly Queenstown) says it will have to euthanise the animals in their care that do not get rehomed after they evacuate the premises at the end of January next year.

This comes after the Enoch Mgijima Municipality informed the SPCA that it would not be extending a long-standing lease agreement beyond the end of January next year.

They are expected to be out of the premises by noon on 31 January.

In a letter addressed to the SPCA, which has operated from Heatherton Farm, the Enoch Mgijima Municipality said the memorandum of understanding concluded in 2014 does not meet legislative prescripts.

The legislative prescripts provide that for the lease to be approved for another 10 years, the decision would have to be approved in a council meeting, which has not been done.

The Municipality also indicated that it may use the land for other economic purposes.

Zani Havenga of the SPCA said their lease agreement was originally concluded with the Lukanji Municipality which later became the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, which could be the main reason for their lease agreement not being renewed.

In the letter, the municipality says the building, which has housed various animals over the years, will not be used to generate income for it.

Apart from the headache of being evicted, Havenga says they now have to find homes for the animals.

“It is going to be a very difficult time not only for Komani but for the entire province,” she says.

Havenga says they are going to try their best to find homes for the animals in their care.

SOURCE:Komani SPCA faces eviction (algoafm.co.za)