AACL AND SPCA FAIL IN HIGH COURT BID TO TAKE OVER MUNICIPAL ANIMAL POUND
Published: April 02, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality notes the outcome of urgent legal proceedings initiated by the Animal Anti Cruelty League, AACL, and its ally, the SPCA, following a High Court process concluded on 01 April 2026.
The AACL approached the High Court on an urgent basis, seeking to interdict the Municipality’s current, lawfully appointed service provider and to effectively assume control of the municipal animal pound. Their application further sought to compel the Municipality to hand over pound operations, records, and financial resources to either the AACL or the SPCA.
The Municipality firmly opposed the application. In its answering affidavits, the Municipality demonstrated that the application was based on material misrepresentations, factual inaccuracies, and exaggerated claims that did not withstand legal scrutiny.
As proceedings unfolded, and it became apparent that the application lacked merit, the AACL’s legal representatives approached the Municipality with proposals to settle the matter out of court. These proposals included:
- The appointment of an AACL official to supervise municipal pound operations.
- A requirement that the Municipality and its appointed service provider fund such supervision.
- The appointment of the AACL’s legal representative as a paid facilitator with authority to make interim rulings on pound-related matters
The Municipality rejected these proposals in full, as they sought to bypass lawful governance processes, undermine supply chain compliance, and transfer operational authority to external parties without any legal or contractual basis.
A final settlement was subsequently reached and endorsed, affirming the Municipality’s authority and existing operational arrangements.
Key outcomes include:
- The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and its duly appointed service provider will continue managing the municipal animal pound in full compliance with applicable laws and supply chain processes
- All existing animal care services will continue uninterrupted, including feeding, access to water, veterinary care, and facility maintenance.
- No external organisation, including the AACL or SPCA, will supervise or interfere with pound operations.
- The Municipality will continue to utilise its own procured veterinary services and will engage the State Veterinarian where necessary.
- Any visits by external animal welfare organisations must follow proper protocols, including reasonable prior notice, and must respect municipal processes and infrastructure.
This outcome reaffirms a fundamental principle, that no organisation can bypass lawful municipal processes, including supply chain regulations, through litigation in order to secure operational control of public services.
The AACL and the SPCA are therefore not part of the operational management of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipal animal pound.
The Municipality remains committed to lawful governance, accountability, and the humane treatment and care of all animals within its jurisdiction.
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