Updates from Council
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- Updates from Council
SAVC Important updates
Important Notice: Restricted access to Council offices!
Dear colleagues,
It is with regret that we have to inform you that physical access to Council’s offices will, going forward and with immediate effect until further notice, be restricted to prior appointment-only access. All visitors will also be required to provide proof of identity, i.e., ID, driving licence or passport. In short, no access will be granted unless you made a prior appointment with the staff member you need to visit and have proper proof of your identity.
This unfortunate restriction is due to death threats made against one of the employees of the SAVC on 11 July 2024, which we believe are linked to an investigation/disciplinary matter that the SAVC has been dealing with in pursuit of its regulatory mandate. The SAVC condemns in strongest possible terms any threat against its employees and takes this matter very serious. The law enforcement agencies are now dealing with this incident.
Therefore, we would like to caution the registrees against such conduct, which by law is nothing less than criminal conduct. Threats of this nature also serve no purpose as the systems and processes in place at the SAVC are built in such a manner that no individual employee can influence the process or an outcome of an investigation or a disciplinary hearing.
We would like to remind the registrees that the SAVC is a legislated regulatory body, carrying out a legislated mandate and exercising the powers and functions, as prescribed by law. As such, all registrees are expected to support the Council in carrying out its mandate.
The measure is introduced to ensure the safety of the SAVC staff members, which is non-negotiable, to continue rendering services to you, our valued registrees and also to protect the interests of the members of the community in general.
Your co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated.
Mr Mongezi Menye
Registrar
Feedback to registrees re input received regarding the draft disciplinary rules
Council and the members of the Review Committee wish to thank each one of you who spent your valuable time to read through the proposed disciplinary rules for the veterinary and para-veterinary professions and made suggestions/recommendations. It is much appreciated!
Herewith a LINK to the feedback (in the right-hand column) in respect of the suggestions that were received, each of which was considered by the Review Committee and Council. But for one aspect, the rules are now finalised. The remaining issue is regarding the legality of Council’s requirement that the service provider’s (veterinarian or para-veterinary professional) fees must be paid before Council will investigate a complaint against the service provider. Council resolved that an external legal opinion has to be sought for its consideration by Council via electronic means. Once Council has resolved the said issue, the rules will be finalised and submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and rural Development for approval, as required by law.
Update on Veterinary Physiotherapy Jurisprudence Examination
Previous MailChimp messages (5 April 2023 and reminder 9 May 2023) refer.
Kindly note that we have received a request for a reduction in the veterinary physiotherapy Jurisprudence examination and the submission received will serve at the Council meeting on 28 – 29 June 2023. The deadline of 15 June 2023 will therefore be extended to Friday, 14 July 2023. No late applications will be accepted after Friday, 14 July 2023.
Should Council decide to reduce the fee, those applicants who already paid the full fee will have the opportunity to request a refund after the closing date.
Study notes will be available from Ms Lenora Erasmus at email address: edu.coordinator@savc.org.za after the extended deadline for applications and once a completed application form [A], checklist [B] and proof of payment have been received.
The examination is scheduled to take place remotely on Thursday, 19 October 2023 via the University of Pretoria’s platform and will be an open book examination as previously communicated to candidates. The pass mark is 50% and any mark below this will be considered a fail.
Technical requirements for the examination will be communicated. There will be a trial session approximately two weeks before the examination to ensure that all candidates can successfully log in.
Special Dispensation applications closed for AHT Registration amnesty
Thank you to the unregistered AHTs who took advantage of our amnesty
Time has run out for unregistered animal health technicians (AHTs), and those whose SAVC registration has lapsed, to apply for our amnesty – the deadline was 14 July 2023.
This special amnesty allowed unregistered AHTs who took up the offer to apply for registration with the SAVC to become legally compliant.
Thank you to all the qualified AHTs, and those who have passed the SAVC examinations, who applied for registration or re-registration with the SAVC. We are pleased that more than 100 applications were received for the amnesty, and we are confident that having more registered AHTs will add immense value to our animal health ecosystem.
Appointments - 2022 - 2025 Council term
Welcome aboard! New Council members appointed
Not receiving communication from Council?
Registrees, if you are not receiving communication via MailChimp email messages, please send an email to Ronel Mayhew at systems@savc.org.za.
