Abattoir woes spark Rehoboth skirmish
A group of Rehoboth businessmen claim Rehoboth town council CEO Simeon Kanime “ran out of his office and dismissed them rudely” when they went to see him about the state of the town's abattoir.
Kanime, however, vehemently denies being rude to the businessmen and said “I simply answered their questions”.
He declined to comment further.
The leader of the business delegation, Rudi van Wyk, the owner of the Aukukams butchery in Rehoboth, said they requested an official meeting with Kanime to discuss concerns of local meat producers and farmers earlier last week, but received no response.
This prompted the group to pay a visit to Kanime's office because their businesses are at risk since the Rehoboth abattoir is currently under renovation and farmers and meat producers have nowhere else to slaughter their animals.
“We informed Mr Kanime about the issue and made it clear to him that this scenario will have a direct impact on the town's economy. [But] he rejected our request for a meeting, only noting that the Rehoboth abattoir does not comply with certain standards and that this is the reason why it is closed for the time being. I then asked him why the town council doesn't have an abattoir, as this is an essential service which the local authority is actually supposed to provide to the community. Mr Kanime got agitated and told me not to 'pressurise' him,” Van Wyk said.
He said they also brought to Kanime's attention the excessive inspection fee tariff hikes at the Rehoboth abattoir, which are taking place without any consultation with the community.
According to Van Wyk, the CEO reportedly told them that he does to have time for them and “doesn't care about a meeting with us”.
He said Kanime showed them the door and told them to seek a meeting with the mayor.
“We did not comply with his request and he then stood up and left us sitting there while he left his office. We decided to stay put and after a while he returned, totally ignoring us... He then asked what he can do for us and we again told him we want an urgent meeting for next week to discuss the issue and find a solution. Kanime remarked that he doesn't care about any meeting,” Van Wyk said.
He also pointed out that the Bahnhof abattoir, which is situated roughly 15km east of Rehoboth, has been a white elephant for two years after its operation was rejected by the town council.
“This abattoir consists of all the facilities to accommodate meat producers, but use of this facility is strictly prohibited by bylaws via the Rehoboth town council. The effect this scenario may have on Rehoboth is huge, not only economically, but it also poses a health risk to consumers, should meat suppliers get hold of meat or meat products not complying with health regulations,” Van Wyk added.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
Kanime, however, vehemently denies being rude to the businessmen and said “I simply answered their questions”.
He declined to comment further.
The leader of the business delegation, Rudi van Wyk, the owner of the Aukukams butchery in Rehoboth, said they requested an official meeting with Kanime to discuss concerns of local meat producers and farmers earlier last week, but received no response.
This prompted the group to pay a visit to Kanime's office because their businesses are at risk since the Rehoboth abattoir is currently under renovation and farmers and meat producers have nowhere else to slaughter their animals.
“We informed Mr Kanime about the issue and made it clear to him that this scenario will have a direct impact on the town's economy. [But] he rejected our request for a meeting, only noting that the Rehoboth abattoir does not comply with certain standards and that this is the reason why it is closed for the time being. I then asked him why the town council doesn't have an abattoir, as this is an essential service which the local authority is actually supposed to provide to the community. Mr Kanime got agitated and told me not to 'pressurise' him,” Van Wyk said.
He said they also brought to Kanime's attention the excessive inspection fee tariff hikes at the Rehoboth abattoir, which are taking place without any consultation with the community.
According to Van Wyk, the CEO reportedly told them that he does to have time for them and “doesn't care about a meeting with us”.
He said Kanime showed them the door and told them to seek a meeting with the mayor.
“We did not comply with his request and he then stood up and left us sitting there while he left his office. We decided to stay put and after a while he returned, totally ignoring us... He then asked what he can do for us and we again told him we want an urgent meeting for next week to discuss the issue and find a solution. Kanime remarked that he doesn't care about any meeting,” Van Wyk said.
He also pointed out that the Bahnhof abattoir, which is situated roughly 15km east of Rehoboth, has been a white elephant for two years after its operation was rejected by the town council.
“This abattoir consists of all the facilities to accommodate meat producers, but use of this facility is strictly prohibited by bylaws via the Rehoboth town council. The effect this scenario may have on Rehoboth is huge, not only economically, but it also poses a health risk to consumers, should meat suppliers get hold of meat or meat products not complying with health regulations,” Van Wyk added.
[email protected]
JEMIMA BEUKES
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