Bergwater Farm in South Africa’s dry Karoo is home to over 200 rescued donkeys, but its future is uncertain due to legal battles and money troubles. The Karoo Donkey Sanctuary moved here hoping for safety and a fresh start, but the farm’s ownership is contested, risking eviction and harm to the animals. Amid tense court fights and looming deadlines, the donkeys remain silent witnesses to a fight about care, compassion, and survival in a harsh land. The sanctuary’s story is a powerful reminder of the fragile hope that rescue efforts bring to vulnerable creatures.
Bergwater Farm is the contested sanctuary home for over 200 rescued donkeys in South Africa’s Karoo. Legal battles over ownership, financial difficulties, and eviction threats jeopardize the sanctuary’s future, risking the welfare of the animals amid efforts to preserve this vital refuge.
Nestled at the base of the Swartberg mountains, Bergwater Farm creates a striking contrast against the arid landscape of the Great Karoo. Here, a tapestry of greenery threads through the ochre earth thanks to determined irrigation, and dams glimmer beneath open skies. Rows of sturdy animal shelters stand as proof of unyielding optimism in surroundings otherwise defined by drought and dust. For the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary (KDS), Bergwater represented more than just land – it offered a rare chance for renewal, not only for over 200 rescued donkeys and other animals, but also for the exhausted team that shepherded them here.
The sanctuary’s relocation became a landmark event in South Africa’s animal welfare movement. In November 2023, KDS embarked on a six-day odyssey, moving their entire operation from Plettenberg Bay to Bergwater. Convoys of specially-fitted trucks carried more than just livestock – they transported the hard-won trust between humans and animals, and the collective weight of pain, endurance, and hope. The venture demanded a staggering R500,000, a sum that could cripple a small nonprofit, but the team pressed on, driven by belief in a better future at Bergwater. Their feat inspired admiration from animal lovers and advocates across the globe.
Donkeys hold an unusual place in human story, often overlooked yet deeply woven into our collective history. For centuries, people have celebrated them for their patience and resilience, as depicted in art, folklore, and religious texts. Yet in recent years, donkeys have faced a new and harrowing threat: a relentless trade in their skins, spurred by demand for ‘ejiao’ – a gelatin used in traditional Chinese remedies, believed to reverse aging and illness. Animal welfare organizations now estimate that six million donkeys meet this fate each year, a quiet crisis eroding an ancient bond between species.
Jonno Sherwin, the driving force behind KDS, stands out as a tireless advocate for donkeys in southern Africa. Since 2016, he and his dedicated team have intervened again and again, saving hundreds from certain death at auctions and abattoirs. The sanctuary’s population surged after an urgent rescue of dozens of donkeys at the Hartswater auction in the Northern Cape during 2017. As drought tightened its grip on the region, KDS relocated from Prince Albert to Plettenberg Bay, seeking more stable conditions for their charges. Still, a permanent home remained elusive, prompting a search that became as challenging and uncertain as the wandering journeys of the animals themselves.
Bergwater Farm appeared as an answer to prayers in August 2023, when Sherwin discovered it was available for purchase. The property, valued at R10 million and under ABSA bank’s control due to financial distress, seemed ideal. A major supporter, Linda Becker, pledged R15 million to secure the deal, expressing her commitment in writing. However, when ABSA required a formal guarantee of payment, Becker’s backing failed to materialize. The transaction collapsed, and the bank not only cancelled the sale but also retained the R1.5 million deposit KDS had scraped together – a financial blow that threatened the sanctuary’s future.
Months of uncertainty followed. ABSA relisted Bergwater, this time at the reduced price of R9 million. In August 2024, retired magistrate Samuel Hallatt, representing the Hallatt Hope Trust (HHT), submitted a bid. Although Hallatt had long searched for a Karoo property, he knew little of the sanctuary’s predicament. The sale advanced slowly, with competing offers complicating the situation. Meanwhile, KDS continued paying R45,000 every month in rent simply to remain on the land, all while racing to assemble new investors. Their efforts culminated in the formation of Karoo Mountain Sanctuary (Pty) Ltd (KMS), but even fresh offers failed to meet the bank’s requirements.
As the struggle for ownership intensified, Bergwater became a scene of legal drama and high emotion. KDS and its leadership pleaded with ABSA, highlighting their substantial investment – over R500,000 spent on relocation, R400,000 dedicated to building and improvements, and ongoing rent payments. Board member Bradley Bergh emphasized that moving 400 animals again was both impractical and potentially inhumane. The board reached out to HHT with an ex gratia proposal, hoping for a solution based on ethics rather than strict legality. Hallatt, however, chose to proceed with his own plans, citing his significant personal investment.
The situation quickly deteriorated. Litigation erupted as both sides leveled accusations – KDS alleged Hallatt restricted access to water and grazing, endangering animal welfare; Hallatt accused the sanctuary of spreading misinformation and attempting to block the transfer of the property through delays and legal maneuvers. The police raided Bergwater in November looking for undocumented workers but found the staff were lawfully employed. The farm’s former owner, Schoeman, joined Hallatt in legal action, asserting that KDS had deliberately stalled the transfer. Tensions escalated as the December transfer deadline loomed, with both sides digging in.
Through all of this, the animals remained voiceless yet central. Critics of KDS questioned whether the donkeys’ care had begun to suffer in the chaos. However, Alan Lockwood, a respected expert in horse and donkey rehabilitation from the Cart Horse Protection Association, visited the property in January. He praised the sanctuary’s standards and found the animals in good condition, offering a rare note of reassurance amid the storm.
The legal struggle only grew more tangled after the farm’s transfer to Hallatt. He sought a court order to evict KDS, pointing to the contract’s requirement for vacant possession. KDS, unwilling to uproot animals or staff yet again, responded with a spoliation order – claiming Hallatt had seized key sections of the property and restricted critical resources. The court quickly set aside this order, with Hallatt’s son explaining their intention was merely to repair and maintain the facilities.
Resolution remained elusive. Hearings repeatedly postponed any final outcome, adding to the uncertainty felt by everyone involved. The High Court in Thembalethu encouraged mediation, but deep-seated mistrust stalled meaningful progress. The National Council of SPCAs entered the fray, issuing a stern reminder: both groups bore legal responsibility for the welfare of all animals on the property, as stipulated by South Africa’s 1962 Animal Protection Act. Their warning rang clear – should neglect or suffering occur, criminal charges could be brought, regardless of who held the deeds or titles.
Beneath the legal wrangling and financial woes, Bergwater stands as a symbol of the larger struggle for sanctuary and justice in South Africa’s animal welfare sector. The land itself mirrors the challenges faced – a place of beauty and hope, yet constantly threatened by harsh realities. The fate of the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary and its animals now hangs in the balance, with eviction threatening to leave hundreds at the mercy of authorities. Potential outcomes range from relocation and new lives as working animals, to the grim possibilities of euthanasia or slaughter.
The saga playing out at Bergwater is more than a local dispute; it’s a poignant reflection on the meaning of refuge, the boundaries of charity, and our obligations to the vulnerable. The donkeys – silent, stoic, and enduring – serve as both the heart and the collateral of this ongoing conflict. The final chapters of Bergwater’s story remain unwritten, shaped by the tireless efforts of advocates, the weight of law, and the hope that compassion will ultimately prevail on the Karoo’s unforgiving edge.
Bergwater Farm in South Africa’s Karoo is home to over 200 rescued donkeys cared for by the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary (KDS). The sanctuary faces an uncertain future due to ongoing legal battles over the farm’s ownership, financial difficulties, and eviction threats. This situation is critical because it directly impacts the welfare of hundreds of vulnerable animals who rely on this refuge for survival amid the harsh Karoo environment.
In November 2023, KDS relocated from Plettenberg Bay to Bergwater Farm after securing the property, which promised a safer and more permanent home for the donkeys. The move was a major undertaking involving a six-day convoy transporting over 200 donkeys and other animals. This relocation cost about R500,000 – a huge financial strain on the nonprofit – but offered hope for a stable sanctuary amid the arid Karoo landscape.
The property was previously under financial distress and controlled by ABSA bank. Despite a pledge from a major supporter to secure the purchase, the deal fell through when a formal payment guarantee was not provided. The farm was later sold to the Hallatt Hope Trust (HHT) at a reduced price, but competing bids and disagreements over rent and property access led to litigation. Accusations range from restricted access to water and grazing for the donkeys to attempts to block property transfer through legal delays.
Despite the legal and financial turmoil, independent experts such as Alan Lockwood from the Cart Horse Protection Association have found the donkeys in good condition, praising the sanctuary’s care standards. KDS continues to invest in maintenance and animal welfare, though ongoing uncertainty and legal tensions make the situation precarious for the animals.
Under South Africa’s 1962 Animal Protection Act, all parties involved – including KDS and the current property holders – are legally responsible for the welfare of the animals on the property. The National Council of SPCAs has issued warnings that any neglect or suffering could result in criminal charges, regardless of ownership disputes. This places strong ethical and legal pressure on all stakeholders to prioritize the donkeys’ well-being.
The future remains uncertain. If eviction proceeds, KDS may have to relocate the animals again, which carries logistical and welfare challenges. Alternatives could include rehoming the donkeys, but worse outcomes such as euthanasia or slaughter cannot be ruled out if no viable sanctuary solution is found. The ongoing legal process, mediation efforts, and advocacy will heavily influence the sanctuary’s ultimate fate.
For more information or to support the Karoo Donkey Sanctuary, please visit their official website or contact local animal welfare organizations committed to protecting vulnerable donkeys in South Africa.
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