Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre faces months of darkness due to red tape challenges

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to People’s Post journalist, Namhla Monakali.

Listen below: 

Every day, the dedicated team at Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre saves, rehabilitates and releases orphan seals and seals in need.

The centre has been going since 1999 and is open 24/7, but behind every life saved is a mountain of costs.

The People's Post's Monakali reports that Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre had a "gentlemen's agreement" with Oceana Group Limited to use the space.

The Oceana Group Limited realised they were still paying the electricity bill and stopped which resulted in the landlord who is the Department of Public Works cutting off the electricity for months. 

Monakali adds that Oceana and Hout Bay Seal Rescue Center reached out to the Department of Public Works but they did not respond to emails.

However, when the People's Post reached out to the Department of Public Works they responded saying the issue will be fixed within seven days after acknowledging their email, Monakali reports.

Without electricity, the rescue center has lost three seals.

October is pup seal season which is fast approaching and the center depends on having the electricity powered back up to take care of any pups rescued. 

RELATED: Can YOU help keep Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre open?

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