Aia Trust Unclaimed

The AIA was formed in 2006 by a group of concerned citizens and passionate animal keepers in response to a radical draft policy published by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife ( EKZNW) and put out for short notice public comment without stakeholder input

Stockley points out: “When we became aware of the illegal state of affairs in the Board, our attorney approach the Legal Services division attached to the MEC. A deal was struck in May 2010 in an attempt to avoid court action, long before the matter came to court”. According to Stockley, the AIA agreed not to pursue court action to challenge the legality of the Board, provided the irregularities in the permitting procedures being applied by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were addressed. An agreement was apparently reached to this effect between the MEC’s legal advisor and the Executive Director: Biodiversity of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. However, at the first meeting between AIA and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to implement the agreement, it was clear that officials present had no intention of honouring the agreement reached with the MEC’s legal advisor. It was this that prompted the AIA to launch its court action in December 2010.