He promised to supply the Observer with a detailed response to questions on why sanctions haven’t been imposed on Mbidi following countless reports of animal abuse and neglect by members of the public.

Mr Makhubele said that he had to coordinate the department’s response with Limpopo provincial spokesman, Mr Simon Matume, who told the Observer that he would have to pay a personal visit to the breeding farm to inspect it.

The American volunteer who exposed the alleged animal abuse gave his statement to the department this week, saying that he was relieved to finally have a go-to official after the Middelburg Observer traced Mr Makhubele.

Meanwhile Mr Bryan Bigelow, who started Bryan’s Lion Foundation, has already raised $6000, this will be spent on the advancement of lion conservation in South Africa when he returns to the country in a few months.

He is presently touring Bulgaria after being forced to leave South Africa on Visa technicalities.

Owner of Ubhetyan O Africa, Ms Susan Cornelius, has also contacted Mr Bigelow to offer him a volunteering opportunity at the animal sanctuary, which he says he would gladly take on his return.

Despite impeding investigations into the abuse allegations by the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Agency, Mbidi owner, Mr Willie Fourie, is forging ahead with the auction of Ramela Ranch, which includes Mbidi and its sister lodge, Dikwena.

The auction, which will be handled by Bosvel Vleissentraal, is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Mbidi’s wildlife is however not included on the auction inventory.

Read previous story here:

Video: US volunteer details Mbidi animal abuse

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