Latest news with #GeorgeMunicipality
IOL News
14-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Authorities urge public to keep distance from Columbo the elephant seal
The George Municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), confirmed that a seal, affectionately known as Columbo, has been resting at Victoria Bay for a few weeks now. Image: Supplied AUTHORITIES have appealed the public to keep their distance from Columbo the elephant seal, who has been resting at Victoria Bay, after a suspected intoxicated person deliberately provoked the animal leading to a chase and aggressive behaviour, endangering volunteers and beachgoers. The George Municipality and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said the immature male Southern elephant seal, currently around four to five years old and estimated to weigh approximately 500 kilograms, has been resting at Victoria Bay for a few weeks now. Columbo can be identified by a white spot on his left eye and a green tag on his hind flippers marked '0196'. Columbo was first recorded on the South African coast in November 2023 near Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, where he remained ashore for a month to moult. Since then, he has returned to Victoria Bay on three occasions, with the most recent haul-out beginning on June 3, 2025 - his longest stay to date at 37 days and counting. 'During his current stay, Columbo has developed noticeable behaviours, such as 'fighting' with rocks, which has caused his teeth to wear down and led to the formation of an integumentary shield (a thickened patch of skin) on his chest,' the municipality and department said. Columbo is monitored during the day by volunteers from the Stranding Marine Animal Rescue Team (SMART), while a nearby security guard keeps a casual watch at night. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'However, the seal remains vulnerable to harmful human interactions, including people attempting to disturb or provoke him, sometimes for social media content. 'One recent incident involved a possibly intoxicated individual deliberately provoking Columbo, leading to a chase and aggressive behaviour towards this individual and endangering volunteers and other beach users.' Following several expert consultations, including marine biologists, veterinarians, and state officials, authorities said it was agreed that the best course of action is to leave Columbo undisturbed at Victoria Bay. 'Attempts to move or chase him into the ocean were considered risky, both to humans and the animal, and could cause distress or injury. Euthanasia is not justified in this case, as Columbo is not ill or suffering.' Members of the public have been advised to stay at least 20 metres away from the seal at all times, keep dogs on a leash and well away from the seal and to report any suspicious or harmful behaviour toward the animal to the relevant authorities or SMART volunteers on site. 'We appeal to all residents and visitors to treat Columbo with kindness and respect, and to help ensure that Victoria Bay remains a safe space for both people and wildlife.' Cape Times
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- The Citizen
Horses killed in separate N2 crashes near George spark SPCA warning
The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has issued an urgent plea for action following two more incidents on the N2 near Pacaltsdorp, George, where two horses were struck and killed by vehicles within 24 hours. According to George Herald, the latest tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning when a truck hit a horse on the busy highway. Just one day earlier, another horse was killed in the same area in a separate collision, which also left the driver of an Isuzu bakkie seriously injured and hospitalised. 'These tragic incidents are not isolated,' says GRSPCA area manager Cheri Cooke. 'They are part of an ongoing and dangerous pattern involving free-roaming large animals in high-speed zones and residential areas across George. While our team continues to respond where possible, the SPCA is increasingly being left to deal with the aftermath.' Cooke stresses hat they operate as a welfare organisation under the limitations of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and do not have jurisdiction over municipal by-laws or road safety enforcement. 'We have formally reached out to the George Municipality's law enforcement, as well as Nkosi Batatu, [the] deputy director of municipal support and capacity-building in the Department of Local Government, to raise our concerns and appeal for urgent intervention,' she says. The continued presence of animals on the N2 and in residential areas has long been a serious concern. George Herald has reported on this issue multiple times, yet a co-ordinated, long-term response has yet to be found. 'This is a matter of public safety as much as it is one of animal welfare,' warns Cooke. 'It is only a matter of time before more lives are lost. We once again offer our full co-operation to all departments and agencies willing to engage in meaningful action.' Municipality confirms challenges The George Municipality reiterated that the challenge of free-roaming animals on public roads remains complex and ongoing. 'We are aware of the dangers posed by stray animals, particularly along the N2, and are actively working with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and community structures, to find sustainable solutions,' says Lee-anne Meiring, the acting director of community safety. Meiring confirms correspondence from the GRSPCA and says law enforcement and security manager Richard von Willigh will arrange a meeting with Sanral and provincial traffic to address the issue. She adds that several animals had been impounded in recent weeks and fines issued where owners could be identified. 'The local horse-riding club has also assisted in managing the situation but has alerted us to the horse camps being vandalised at night, which leads to animals escaping. 'We are working with all stakeholders to improve safety for both animals and road users, however, it is crucial that animal owners also take responsibility to prevent these incidents,' she says. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Labour Court rejects George Municipality's bid to validate unqualified HR appointment
A former employee of the George Municipality was appointed as an HR manager under circumstances which amounted to an unfair labour practice as the person did not have the minimum qualification requirement. Image: File The George Municipality's Labour Court bid to have a now-retired employee's appointment declared lawful has been dismissed, with the court upholding that the appointment flouted fair labour practice. The municipality appointed the woman as a Human Resources manager in 2015 without having the minimum qualification requirement. A commissioner of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council found the municipality committed an unfair labour practice in shortlisting and appointing the woman without the NQF Level 7 qualification. This prejudiced two other employees who applied for the same position and held the required qualification but ranked lower in the interviewing process. The employee has since retired. The municipality sought the arbitration sanction to be reviewed and set aside, and for it to be heard afresh before a new commissioner. It was in 2019, during an audit of the municipality's Human Resources Department, that the two employees who held the qualification became aware that their now-former colleague did not have an NQF level 7 qualification when she was appointed, as she was missing one subject for her qualification. Acting Judge of the Labour Court, Glen Cassells, noted in his judgment that no condition was stipulated in the woman's appointment letter that she was required to obtain the qualification within a reasonable time. The arbitration award noted that the municipality, as a local authority, is expected to comply with the requirements stated in the advertisement and that if the provisions existed to accommodate a candidate who otherwise did not meet the minimum requirements of the advertisement, this should be recorded in all relevant documentation. 'The arbitration award notes that (the former) employee had a national diploma in library and information services and that her highest incomplete qualification related to post school education, and that accordingly it would have been reasonable to frown upon choosing her, as the qualification stipulated in the advertisement was relevant to the position and deviating from it to accommodate a qualification not close to the position was problematic. 'The arbitrator concluded that the shortlisting committee and the Municipal Manager would have acted differently if they knew that she did not possess the minimum qualification… In the circumstances, she should not have been shortlisted and accordingly not appointed into the advertised position, and by allowing her to be part of the process and to be appointed under the circumstances amounted to an unfair labour practice as it was based upon a wrong principle,' said Cassells.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- IOL News
George Municipality's attempt to legitimise unqualified HR appointment rejected by Labour Court
A former employee of the George Municipality was appointed as an HR manager under circumstances which amounted to an unfair labour practice as the person did not have the minimum qualification requirement. Image: File The George Municipality's Labour Court bid to have a now-retired employee's appointment declared lawful following an arbitration sanction has been dismissed when the court upheld that the appointment flouted fair labour practice. This was after the municipality appointed a woman as a Human Resources manager in 2015 without having the minimum qualification requirement. A commissioner of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council found that the municipality committed an unfair labour practice in shortlisting and appointing the woman without the NQF Level 7 qualification. This prejudiced two other employees who applied for the same position and held the required qualification but ranked lower in the interviewing process. The employee has since retired. The municipality sought the arbitration sanction to be reviewed and set aside, and for it to be heard afresh before a new commissioner. It was in 2019, during an audit of the municipality's Human Resources Department, that the two employees who held the qualification became aware that their now-former colleague did not have an NQF level 7 qualification when she was appointed, as she was missing one subject for her qualification. Acting Judge of the Labour Court, Glen Cassells, noted in his judgment that no condition was stipulated in the woman's appointment letter that she was required to obtain the qualification within a reasonable time.
