Tempers ran high at the latest council meeting of the Mogale City Local Municipality (Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift) following the announcement that the state veterinarian has ordered all animals at Coronation Park to be put down.
The farm animals are reportedly sick, malnourished and infested with parasites, leaving no humane alternative but euthanasia.
The presence of foot-and-mouth disease in the province has further complicated the situation.
These animals were a welcome attraction for residents and gave children the valuable opportunity to see and experience farm animals up close.
While some councillors remarked that a farmer would put down a sick animal – which is partly true – it ignores the crucial issue that keeping animals carries great responsibility.
There has been a failure to fulfil this core responsibility, and the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) insists that someone be held accountable.
The Freedom Front Plus also strongly condemns the persistent pattern of municipal neglect of assets, especially when it comes to livestock.
It is unacceptable that the situation was allowed to deteriorate to the point where the state veterinarian had no choice but to issue such an order.
This tragedy was preventable. Proper care and responsible management could have protected these animals and preserved them for the community.
