Henties residents irked by 'SPCA levy'
Coastal town targets strays
A N$15 levy has been added to Henties Bay residents' municipal accounts to fund veterinary services for animals in the town.
Henties Bay residents are up in arms about a N$15 'SPCA levy' that appeared on their municipal accounts this month.
Upon inquiry, mayor Lewies Vermaak explained that the wording on the accounts was incorrect.
“There was a mistake on the part of the municipality; it should not have been under the SPCA at all. It should have been under the municipality itself. This is about appointing a dog inspector and providing a vehicle to track stray dogs. The dogs are then taken to the SPCA if they do not have licences, and if they need to be euthanised, there is funding available for that.”
He explained that this levy had already been published in the Government Gazette of 15 August.
“I had a meeting with the municipality, and they explained that they will also send a letter to all business owners to clarify what this is about and the purpose behind it. The municipality decided not to discuss this in a public meeting with the community; they just went ahead and implemented it. Although this was discussed in 2021 and decided upon in 2023, it is now in effect," he said.
"People can see on their accounts that it has been there since February 2023, but with a zero balance, so the public was already made aware that it would be on their municipal accounts.”
Improving animal control
He explained that the levy will fund animal control, allowing the municipality to monitor stray animals, manage them, care for them and, where necessary, euthanise them.
"This includes handling all costs and ensuring that the dogs have licences," Vermaak said.
The mayor also refuted claims that he had allegedly asked each resident for N$50 to buy a new car. “I do not know where people get these ideas. If they had approached me, I would have given them the correct answers, as I did today with everyone who contacted me. Some people spread rumours without trying to find out the truth.”
According to a notice by acting CEO Ignasia Florencia Neis, municipal tariffs for the 2023/2024 financial year were reviewed, received approval from the ministry, and were officially published in the Government Gazette last year.
“However, during the 2023/2024 financial year, the council chose not to implement the approved tariff of N$15. Instead, the tariff was set at N$0.00 for that period. The approved N$15 tariff was subsequently introduced and applied starting in the 2024/2025 financial year.”
The notice added that the levy will help fund veterinary services for animals within the town, ensuring they receive necessary medical care.
“The funds are used to improve animal control measures, which supports law enforcement efforts and contributes to public safety. We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.”
A number of residents said they do not have a problem paying the levy, but stressed that they do not appreciate that it was not communicated to them. Others were of the opinion that animal control is a less important issue than helping people who are in dire need of food.
Upon inquiry, mayor Lewies Vermaak explained that the wording on the accounts was incorrect.
“There was a mistake on the part of the municipality; it should not have been under the SPCA at all. It should have been under the municipality itself. This is about appointing a dog inspector and providing a vehicle to track stray dogs. The dogs are then taken to the SPCA if they do not have licences, and if they need to be euthanised, there is funding available for that.”
He explained that this levy had already been published in the Government Gazette of 15 August.
“I had a meeting with the municipality, and they explained that they will also send a letter to all business owners to clarify what this is about and the purpose behind it. The municipality decided not to discuss this in a public meeting with the community; they just went ahead and implemented it. Although this was discussed in 2021 and decided upon in 2023, it is now in effect," he said.
"People can see on their accounts that it has been there since February 2023, but with a zero balance, so the public was already made aware that it would be on their municipal accounts.”
Improving animal control
He explained that the levy will fund animal control, allowing the municipality to monitor stray animals, manage them, care for them and, where necessary, euthanise them.
"This includes handling all costs and ensuring that the dogs have licences," Vermaak said.
The mayor also refuted claims that he had allegedly asked each resident for N$50 to buy a new car. “I do not know where people get these ideas. If they had approached me, I would have given them the correct answers, as I did today with everyone who contacted me. Some people spread rumours without trying to find out the truth.”
According to a notice by acting CEO Ignasia Florencia Neis, municipal tariffs for the 2023/2024 financial year were reviewed, received approval from the ministry, and were officially published in the Government Gazette last year.
“However, during the 2023/2024 financial year, the council chose not to implement the approved tariff of N$15. Instead, the tariff was set at N$0.00 for that period. The approved N$15 tariff was subsequently introduced and applied starting in the 2024/2025 financial year.”
The notice added that the levy will help fund veterinary services for animals within the town, ensuring they receive necessary medical care.
“The funds are used to improve animal control measures, which supports law enforcement efforts and contributes to public safety. We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.”
A number of residents said they do not have a problem paying the levy, but stressed that they do not appreciate that it was not communicated to them. Others were of the opinion that animal control is a less important issue than helping people who are in dire need of food.
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