The owners recently shared their and their animals' desperate plight and said they were looking to the municipality for help.
Ivan Oelf (43), one of the owners who told the story on behalf of John Moos (56), Daniel Pietersen (71), Elizabeth Pillips (56) and Johnny Bloom (69), said their animals had to illegally graze on the 'tiep' (dumping grounds), which endangered the animals' health as well as the health of those who consumed their milk. Since no grazing land is available, they have to spend hours trying to contain the free-roaming animals. "We fear that the municipality can, at any moment, come and impound our animals."
Spies had a meeting with PG Bison on Monday, August 18. The meeting had originally been set for Wednesday, August 13 but it had to be postponed. She said she could not discuss the details of the discussion during the meeting as negotiations were in a sensitive stage. “We are making progress and we have a strategy in place."
She gave her assurance that the animals would be safe for the time being. Following the publication of the abovementioned article, the Knysna-Plett Herald received a response from PG Bison’s CEO, Gary Chaplin. “We have consulted with the Department of Agriculture in terms of the carry capacity of the relevant grazing areas, and with the SPCA in terms of the poor condition of the relevant animals. Based on this, we proposed reasonable terms of occupation with the relevant people, which they refused to accept. As such, the grazing areas will be used for our own animals.
Chaplin had earlier also responded to the situation of 68-year-old pensioner Maggie Zeelie, who accepted R20 000 from PG Bison to leave the home in which she and her family lived for decades (refer to the article, Pensioner Bulldozed Out of Heritage, Knysna-Plett Herald, August 14). "This is one of the highly emotive issues, each with its own specific circumstances. As a listed company we certainly try to deal with these issues in a responsible and sensitive manner and within the context of the law and people’s rights.”
Zeelie claims she never received an eviction order as the Esta Law requires. She is currently homeless and depends on community members for a roof over her head. Spies requested Zeelie’s contact details and said she would follow up the matter.
For a related article, click here.
Maggie Zeelie (68) walks through the rubble that remains of her home of 39 years, remembering the fireplace and the 'donkey'. "We had a home filled with love. This is where my husband, Hendrik, died."
ARTICLE: INGRID ERLANK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD EDITOR
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