NSPCA welcomes long-awaited reform for lion captivity breeding ban

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CAPE TOWN - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has  welcomed the announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities.   This long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action, public advocacy, and inspections by the NSPCA. The prohibition confirms what the NSPCA has long exposed: the captive lion industry has operated largely unabated for decades, inflicting severe animal welfare violations, damaging South Africa’s conservation reputation, and flouting constitutional obligations to protect sentient beings. While limited to new facilities, this ban sends a clear signal that the commodification of lions for tourism, hunting, and the bone trade is no longer defensible. The NSPCA’s decade-long investigations have laid bare the industry’s brutality. O...

Gauteng government to pay R3.3 billion second e-tolls debt instalment

GAUTENG - The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is expected to pay some R3.3 billion to service the outstanding e-tolls debt.

This was announced by Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, during a media briefing on Sunday.

E-tolls were scrapped last year following years of discontent from road users in an agreement between the provincial government and National Treasury.

The GPG committed to paying some 30% of the historic debt.

“... The Gauteng Provincial Government will honour the province’s obligation by paying the second instalment towards the e-tolls debt, as disclosed in the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework. 

“The amount due… based on the Memorandum of Agreement, is R3.3 billion in terms of the historic debt. This is the amount that we will be paying to National Treasury as part of our 30% contribution,” Maile said.

This will be the provincial government’s second instalment.

“On the 30th of September 2024, the Gauteng government made the first instalment amounting to R3.8 billion. This instalment consisted of R3.2 billion historic debt and the maintenance portion of R546 million,” Maile said.

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