Battle over culling rages on

MARLOTH PARK: INTERDICT FACES OBSTACLES AFTER THREATS OF FURTHER LEGAL ACTION

- Jarryd Westerdale

The animosity between residents locked in a heated conservation battle in Mpumalanga shows no sign of simmering down.

A faction consisting of a residents' association on the side of the municipality ready to begin culling in Marloth Park is up against a fellow association adamant that animals will not be killed near their homes.

A recent high court judgment said culling must begin in earnest, but the latter are digging their heels in, with threats of further legal action causing another argument at a meeting set to outline the post-interdict way forward.

The National Council of the Society for the Protection and Care for Animals (NSPCA) was awarded an interdict against several respondents late last month, including Nkomazi local municipality (NLM).

As custodians of the animals, the municipality has been ordered to begin culling in the part residential estate, part nature reserve.

The NSPCA interdict and further threat of legal action by the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association (MPRA) are the latest punches thrown in the lengthy scuffle.

Dating back to at least 2017, MPRA has had differences with NLM over the treatment of animals, municipal procedures and municipal employees' conduct, among others.