LIMPOPO – Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) is moving ahead with plans to auction livestock that has remained unclaimed at its animal impoundment facility after owners failed to reclaim the animals within the stipulated 21-day period.

The municipality currently has 20 goats and two donkeys at its impoundment station. The number of goats has increased from the nine originally impounded, with additional goats born while the animals remained at the facility.

Despite the animals being kept at the municipal facility, no owners have come forward to claim them within the required period.

Auction process explained

Under the municipality’s procedures, owners have 21 days to reclaim impounded livestock. Once this period expires, the municipality may auction unclaimed animals, subject to the prescribed processes.

Municipal spokesperson Steve Mavunda said the municipality was restarting the process of appointing an auctioneer after the initial process, which began last year, was delayed by internal administrative procedures.

“Normally, after 21 days of impounding animals, the municipality is entitled to auction them. At this stage, the municipality is in the process of submitting a request to initiate the appointment of an auctioneer,” said Mavunda.

Request being updated amid goat births

He said the original request would have to be updated because the number of goats had increased, including through breeding, since the process began.

The updated request will be submitted to the finance department, after which the municipality will follow the required procurement and advertising processes to appoint an auctioneer.

Costs of prolonged impoundment

Mavunda said the auction could proceed only once these administrative requirements were completed.

The move is expected to end the prolonged stay of unclaimed livestock at the municipal impoundment facility, while highlighting the challenges municipalities face when animals remain unclaimed and their numbers increase, adding to feeding and maintenance costs.