Latest news with #TEARS
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
TEARS CEO appeals Auditor's findings on R2 million irregular expenditure
Tears CEO, Mara Glennie. Image: Facebook CEO of gender-based violence non-profit organisation TEARS, Mara Glennie, is appealing the findings of an Auditor's report and a Gauteng High Court judgment, which found that she made an irregular expenditure of R2 million. The application seeks leave to appeal to the full bench of the High Court in Gauteng, alternatively, to the Supreme Court of Appeal, against the entire judgment and order, including costs, granted by Judge Denise Fisher on June 11. The Cape Argus last month reported that according to court papers and the judgment by Fisher, Glennie's financial profile came under scrutiny after the auditor's report raised questions about a payment by the foundation to another company, namely Fireworx Management Solution, which is also owned by Glennie. TEARS's argument was that the payment was a loan for a "Joy Cottage project" (a safe-house for abused women). The court found Glennie's explanation for the R2 million payment not convincing and that evidence showed she transferred the R2 million to Fireworx for a safe house, but then transferred R1.8 million to an interest-bearing Fireworx account while TEARS received no interest. The grounds of appeal include failure to consider evidence such as resolutions, bank statements, correspondence and addressing concerns about the R2 million transaction and Joy Cottage acquisition. 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 ✕ Via the appeal, Glennie states there were explanations for donor funds being moved and that a detailed supplementary affidavit for private company purchase was provided, with traceable bank transaction logs to affirmations of fund return post-sale failure. 'The court failed to consider at all evidence that the applicant placed before the court in the form of resolutions, bank statements, and correspondence, which would have addressed the court's concerns in relation to the purpose and structure of the R2 million transaction, or how it then tied in to the proposed Joy Cottage acquisition,' the court papers read. In a statement issued, Glennie said her organisation suffered a huge blow. 'The consequences of this damning publication have been devastating. All funding to TEARS Foundation has been withdrawn, forcing half of the staff to leave. The vital call center team - made up mostly of Black women who are primary breadwinners - have chosen to remain, continuing to support victims at just 50% of their salaries, while volunteers are stepping up to help fill the gaps. 'As we fight this unprecedented attack, the foremost thing on my mind is ensuring that every caller receives assistance - because I know all too well what it is to be abused and alone.' A date for the leave to appeal hearing is set to be decided. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
28-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
TEARS Animal Rescue faces crisis as heavy rains cause severe flooding
Nothing feels as good as a 'fleece hug'. Tears Animal Rescue is asking the public for donations to withstand the winter cold and floods Image: Supplied TEARS Animal Rescue found itself battling an unexpected crisis as heavy rains caused severe flooding at their premises on Lekkerwater Road in Sunnydale recently. The impact was devastating, with the animal shelter's offices and kennels submerged as the drainage infrastructure failed under the torrential downpour. Tinka Shapiro, the spokesperson for TEARS, expressed profound gratitude for the swift intervention from the local community and emergency services. 'Thanks to the fast action and support of our community, we were able to prevent a disaster. Our priority is always to take care of our animals and we managed to do that,' she said, highlighting the urgent need for resources to keep the animals safe and warm. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) teams from Simon's Town, Hout Bay, and Kommetjie stepped in to support the rescue operation, pumping floodwaters out of the affected kennels. "They made all the difference and we cannot thank them enough," Shapiro said. However, the challenges are far from over. The shelter now faces a major reconstruction hurdle as they work towards connecting to the municipal sewer line to prevent such calamities in the future. The projected cost of this vital infrastructure upgrade is R300, 000. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ In a heartfelt appeal, Shapiro emphasised the need for fleece blankets and fleece fabric to keep the shelter's animals warm and comfortable during this distressing period. "Fleece blankets are crucial for animal welfare as they provide warmth and comfort, even when wet, and they dry quickly," she said. Shapiro further stressed the seriousness of the situation: 'This was not just a rainy day; it was a crisis for our animals, staff, and shelter. Caring for our animals is always our main focus, and we are doing everything we can to keep them warm. Donations of fleece blankets or fabric will really help us achieve this. Please help us.'
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
TEARS Animal Rescue faces crisis as Cape storms cause severe flooding
TEARS Animal Rescue needs help after flooding at its offices. As torrential rainfall continues to fall across Cape Town, the TEARS Animal Rescue was hit hard by the adverse weather conditions on Tuesday. The organisation saw its facilities flooding. 'Our offices are flooding; our kennels and cattery are flooding. There is water everywhere. Our animals are being cared for, and their continued well-being is our primary concern. We're doing everything we can, but we urgently need help,' the organisation said. TEARS said its drainage infrastructure has failed, and to connect to the municipal sewerline and prevent future disasters, they would need to raise R300,000 for emergency drainage infrastructure.
IOL News
30-04-2025
- General
- IOL News
TEARS Animal Rescue seeks community support for Feed Hungry Pets Programme
Paco the dog after he was rescued from hunger and neglect and fed and taken care of Image: TEARS In a heartfelt plea for assistance, TEARS Animal Rescue, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, is reaching out to the community to help bolster its essential Feed Hungry Pets Programme. This initiative provides critical support to families in low-income areas who are grappling with the harsh reality of pet food insecurity. As food prices continue to rise, many families find themselves facing the difficult choice of feeding their pets or their loved ones. Unfortunately, it is often the loyal dogs who bear the brunt of this tough decision, while cats tend to rely on their instincts to hunt and scavenge—strategies that can be dangerous and insufficient in urban environments. This is not merely a story of neglect; it is a heartbreaking narrative of love overshadowed by economic hardship. This is what Paco the dog looked like when he was rescued by TEARS animal rescue Image: TEARS The Feed Hungry Pets Programme is designed precisely to address this urgent problem. It provides supplemental feeding that ensures beloved pets receive the nutrition they need to stay healthy and in their homes where they are cherished. Many families are faced with the gut-wrenching prospect of surrendering their pets when they are unable to provide adequate food; for these pet owners, letting go is a last aims to keep families together by tackling pet food insecurity, the leading cause of pet surrender in low-income communities. 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 ✕ 'We're appealing to the public to help us assist these families and their pets,' said Mandy Store, Operations Manager of TEARS. 'We all love our pets, so we can imagine how devastating it must be to give them up or watch them go hungry. Supplemental feeding supports families who are really struggling and helps keep loved pets in loving homes.' TEARS's mission goes beyond mere sustenance; it also ensures that shelter space remains available for animals that are truly neglected and in dire need of rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and care. By keeping loved pets in their homes, the organisation can focus on providing for animals that cannot fend for themselves.
