Dismissal drama at SPCA
Whilst he admits this is factually correct, he laid the blame on a local accounting firm for the financials being 'nowhere near complete'.
Chairman Scott Kvalsvig and vice-chairman Carla Steenkamp have recently been dismissed from the Lower South Coast Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSC SPCA).
Kvalsvig released a statement on his personal Facebook page, saying that Steenkamp and he heard, on December 31, the news they had been dismissed by National SPCA (NSPCA).
He wrote that the main thrust of NSPCA’s reason for expelling them was failure to submit the financials on time.
Whilst he admits this is factually correct, he laid the blame on a local accounting firm for the financials being ‘nowhere near complete’.
News of their dismissal sent shockwaves through the South Coast, and they have received tremendous support from the community, including from former councillor Dave Watson, who encouraged people to write to the NSPCA in support of Kvalsvig and Steenkamp.
Kvalsvig said legal steps were currently being taken to clear his name and that of his vice-chairman.
A letter drafted by Atkinson Attorneys, representing Kvalsvig and Steenkamp, demands that NSPCA revoke their removal from office, and reinstate them with immediate effect.
The letter states that the subsequent removal letters (by NSPCA) were uncalled for, not legally substantiated and accordingly unenforced.
The accounting firm mentioned by Kvalsvig has been advised by attorneys not to respond to any allegations at this point.
Tercia Woest, manager of NSPCA’s liaison unit, said in a statement that the (council) was disappointed to learn of the recent social media posts.
She said the NSPCA wished to place the following on record to clarify any misinformation that has been shared:
The Council became aware of multiple contraventions of the SPCA Act by the LSC SPCA in 2021, including –
* The fostering of five animals (tarantulas) off the SPCA’s premises, and in spite of a letter being issued to repossess the animals, the LSC SPCA failed to do so.
* The failure to submit year end financials, despite two warnings and ample time, the LSC SPCA remained in contravention of the SPCA Act.
In the letter from Atkinson Attorneys, it points out, that after a fairly lengthy saga with Woest, the matter regarding the tarantulas was closed by NSPCA.
Woest confirmed that the LSC SPCA was still fully operational, with a committee consisting of both old and new members.
“Council’s investigation is ongoing to ensure all contraventions of the SPCA Act have been addressed, especially those concerning the welfare of the animals under the care of the LSC SPCA,” she reassured.
Council is currently at the LSC SPCA where more concerns have been noted.
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