One South African city lost zoo animals worth R1.8 million

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, which governs Bloemfontein, lost 79 zoo animals, resulting in a financial loss of R1.76 million.

This was revealed in the Auditor General’s (AG) 2023/24 audit report, which flagged the material irregularity.

The report revealed that during an asset check for the 2021/22 financial year, some animals within the Bloemfontein Zoo could not be found or accounted for.

There was a total of 79 animals missing, resulting in a financial loss of R1.76 million for the municipality.

The annual report stated that the accounting officer was notified about the issue in November 2022. However, they did not take the appropriate steps to resolve the matter.

The issue was then referred to the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA), which was accepted on 26 August 2024 and is investigating the case.

In 2019, an unannounced inspection of the Bloemfontein Zoo was conducted by environmental management inspectors in collaboration with the SPCA.

These environmental management inspectors found the zoo to be non-compliant with the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.

The Bloemfontein Zoo held animals without the required permits, and many of the animals were maltreated and in poor condition. The zoo was closed in 2020 and has remained closed ever since.

In September 2024, the Free State High Court granted an urgent order preventing the municipality from opening the zoo unless strict conditions were satisfied.

Since 2020, when the zoo was closed, the municipal budget allocated R1 million per year to upgrade the zoo. However, each year the budget was adjusted, reducing this allocation to Rnil.

All financial statements released since the zoo closure indicate that the municipality has not spent any money on upgrading or improving the zoo.

The Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs said most of the zoo animals have been removed from the zoo and moved to qualified game reserves.

The Auditor General made recommendations to the accounting officer, saying they should:

• Investigate the loss of animals and determine if any officials were responsible.
• Discipline any official involved in financial misconduct.
• Report senior manager misconduct to the council and treasuries.
• Secure the remaining animals to prevent further loss.
• Report suspected theft to the police.

At the 2024 financial year-end, the Auditor General stated that the accounting officer had not made the required progress or implemented the recommendations.

In March 2025, the Bloemfontein Courant reported that the Mangaung Metro Municipality has allocated R6 million in its 2024/25 adjustment budget for the Bloemfontein Zoo’s revival.

The municipality’s executive management team has approved a phased reopening plan, with a full reopening by 2028