SPCA to lay criminal charges against Mossel Bay municipality
The Mossel Bay Advertiser reports that the charges, under the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962, follow the euthanisation of 52 tortoises and several birds in Harry Giddey Park in October last year, due to illness and neglect.
The Mossel Bay Municipality, who is the authority over the park, then instituted an internal investigation in November, and the findings were made public in late June this year. Some of these included unauthorised animal sales, animal neglect and euthanisation, and asset mismanagement.
It also found there was non-compliance at the park in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and the municipality's supply chain management and asset management policies.
The findings were tabled in a report and presented in a council meeting on June 27, where it was accepted by council that same day. Read this report and Mossel Bay Advertiser's previous article on it here: Internal audit review of Harry Giddey Park on council agenda
The SPCA's statement, by area manager Cheri Cooke, issued today (July 8) on behalf of the Garden Route SPCA's management committee, stated that the decision to proceed with criminal charges was not one that was taken lightly.
'The cruelty discovered at the park in September 2024 was severe. Our inspectors found animals living in conditions of neglect and distress, and humane euthanasia was necessary to end the suffering in several heart-breaking cases,' said Cooke in the statement.
'In the 10 months since, we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, providing the municipality with evidence, attending meetings, and giving every possible opportunity for accountability to be taken and corrective action implemented.
'Unfortunately, the cruelty that occurred has still not been addressed formally, and no action has been taken against those responsible. We can no longer wait. The SPCA is bound by law and by principle to act when cruelty occurs,' Cooke said.
'As this matter now enters the legal arena, we reaffirm our commitment: to protect those who cannot speak, to uphold the law, and to pursue justice without fear or favour.'
A media enquiry has been sent to the municipality asking for its response to the SPCA's intention on pressing criminal charges against it. The response will be added to this article as soon as the Advertiser has received it.
See the SPCA's full statement below:
Read original story on www.mosselbayadvertiser.com
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Animal welfare groups demand justice for Chacma baboon slaughter in Cape Town
A video of a Chacma baboon slaughtered in Ocean View has been shared on social media. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers A R5,000 reward has been offered for any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in the brutal killing of an adult Chacma baboon, which was allegedly butchered for human consumption in Ocean View. Disturbing footage of the incident has surfaced on social media, showing the horrific slaughter of the protected species. The video, which began circulating on Monday, was brought to the attention of both the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, sparking urgent investigations by both animal welfare organisations. 'This horrific act is not only inhumane but also illegal,' said AWS SA spokesperson Alan Perrins. 'Chacma baboons are a vulnerable and protected species in South Africa. These intelligent, sentient beings are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, urban encroachment, and human-wildlife conflict. Now, they face yet another threat: barbaric killings for bushmeat.' Perrins confirmed that AWS SA had immediately alerted CapeNature and its counterparts at the SPCA, with early indications pointing to members of the Ocean View community. 'We are combining resources to ensure the swift identification and prosecution of those responsible. Killing or consuming protected wildlife is a criminal offence, and we will pursue this case with the full weight of the law.' Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed that wildlife inspectors visited Ocean View on Monday as part of a joint operation with the City of Cape Town's Law Enforcement and Safety and Security Investigation Unit (SSIU). 'Our team immediately jumped into action after receiving the footage,' Abraham said. 'We are working closely with the relevant authorities, and our investigation is ongoing. The video is graphic and distressing, and we are determined to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.' The SPCA is offering a R5,000 reward for any information that leads to a successful conviction. Their 24/7 Inspectorate Control Room can be contacted at 021 700 4158 or via confidential WhatsApp at 021 700 4140. AWS SA Senior Inspector Sivuyile Kilwa can also be reached at 021 692 2626, 082 601 1761, or via email at ([email protected])(mailto:[email protected]). Animal rights advocacy group Baboon Matters added its voice to the call for justice, condemning the killing in the strongest terms. 'We were utterly appalled at the reprehensible killing of a baboon as detailed in the CGHSPCA post,' said Baboon Matters founder Jenni Trethowan. 'We call on residents who may have witnessed the awful event to please come forward with information – these killers must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Now is the time for the authorities to act cohesively and decisively.' Authorities have urged the public not to share the video due to its graphic content, and instead to report it directly to enforcement officials as part of the ongoing investigation. 'Let us stand together and say NO to cruelty. NO to wildlife crimes. YES to justice,' said Perrins. [email protected]
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- The Citizen
Bedfordview SPCA takes legal action over false cruelty claims
Germiston Bedfordview SPCA pleads with the public to report cruelty directly to them and not through hearsay, WhatsApp forwarded messages, or online outrage. 'When reports pass through too many hands, facts get lost, emotions take over, and the animals, the ones we're all trying to protect, are the ones who lose,' said the branch's chairperson, Christine Kuch. She added that animal cruelty is no place for rumours, rage, or reckless reposts. According to Kuch, since the start of 2025, the Germiston Bedfordview SPCA has seen a troubling spike in third-party reports of alleged cruelty, often sent via WhatsApp, shared in community groups, or circulated by individuals with no direct knowledge of the situation. ALSO READ: Join the Edenvale SPCA AGM on July 5 'These are not anonymous tips but sweeping accusations, often laced with insults and claims that the SPCA did nothing. 'While community vigilance is vital, the way to report cruelty matters. 'Complaints must be made directly to the SPCA via landline or email,' she explained. Then, a case can be logged, assigned a reference number, and investigated properly. Under the SPCA Act 169 of 1993, SPCAs are legally required to give feedback to the original complainant, and and are audited on their response to complaints within 24 hours, or immediately in the case of an emergency. 'We're seeing more and more cases where people claim they reported something, say we 'did nothing,' and then take to social media to name and shame us. But, when we check our records, there's no complaint, no call or no email. Nothing.' ALSO READ: Brushstrokes and vino to aid Bedfordview SPCA pups Kuch said they have seen a sharp increase this year, with individuals alleging prior inaction from the SPCA but offering no proof when asked for reference numbers, names of inspectors, or dates. 'When asked for the most basic verification, the conversation ends,' Christine added.'In one recent example, a WhatsApp message circulated between several parties, alleging neglect at a local property. 'The SPCA had no record of the complaint ever being submitted. When the SPCA team followed up as they always do, they found the animals were not in distress. 'Yet the complainant verbally abused a staff member and accused us of not doing what we're paid for,' said Kuch. She added that increasingly, complaints are being channelled through so-called 'local rescuers' or concerned intermediaries who then share embellished or inaccurate claims online, shifting attention away from the facts and toward public outrage. She said this often results in a flurry of pressure on the SPCA to defend its name, instead of focusing on the welfare of the animals involved. 'We do not doubt that many of these individuals care deeply. But, care must be paired with responsibility and respect.' The way of raising matters is also a concern. 'It is not acceptable that SPCA staff, professionals committed to animal welfare, are subjected to shouting, threats, or public slander. 'This kind of conduct is not only disheartening, it's damaging. It undermines trust, pulls inspectors away from actual emergencies, and unfairly tarnishes the reputation of an organisation working tirelessly to protect animals. ALSO READ: Edenvale SPCA warns of unusual snake sightings 'More alarming are certain members of the public now demanding confidential information from active cruelty cases – including the contents of criminal dockets – and insist that the SPCA obtain warrants to enter properties, even though these individuals have never personally visited the locations in question. 'This behaviour is not only unlawful, but endangers inspectors, compromises investigations, and undermines justice. 'The SPCA is legally and ethically bound to protect the integrity of investigations and cannot release details or act on such demands simply because someone shouts loud enough online or over the phone. 'We want to be clear; we take cruelty complaints very seriously. But if you don't report it to us directly, our ability to assist in a timely and correct manner is impaired. And more importantly, we cannot help the animals,' stated Kuch. The Germiston Bedfordview SPCA has now instructed attorneys to take formal steps against individuals who continue to spread false or defamatory claims. ALSO READ: Pet owners may face prosecution over animal cruelty – Bedfordview SPCA 'To the many residents who report their concerns properly and respectfully, the SPCA offers sincere thanks. 'Your vigilance saves lives. Please continue to contact us directly, not through someone else, not via a neighbourhood group, but through the proper channels. If you see something, say something — to us, not the internet,' she said. To report cruelty, contact the SPCA on 011 825 5033 or email to [email protected] or after-hours dial 081 399 1781. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- The Citizen
Horses killed in separate N2 crashes near George spark SPCA warning
The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) has issued an urgent plea for action following two more incidents on the N2 near Pacaltsdorp, George, where two horses were struck and killed by vehicles within 24 hours. According to George Herald, the latest tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning when a truck hit a horse on the busy highway. Just one day earlier, another horse was killed in the same area in a separate collision, which also left the driver of an Isuzu bakkie seriously injured and hospitalised. 'These tragic incidents are not isolated,' says GRSPCA area manager Cheri Cooke. 'They are part of an ongoing and dangerous pattern involving free-roaming large animals in high-speed zones and residential areas across George. While our team continues to respond where possible, the SPCA is increasingly being left to deal with the aftermath.' Cooke stresses hat they operate as a welfare organisation under the limitations of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and do not have jurisdiction over municipal by-laws or road safety enforcement. 'We have formally reached out to the George Municipality's law enforcement, as well as Nkosi Batatu, [the] deputy director of municipal support and capacity-building in the Department of Local Government, to raise our concerns and appeal for urgent intervention,' she says. The continued presence of animals on the N2 and in residential areas has long been a serious concern. George Herald has reported on this issue multiple times, yet a co-ordinated, long-term response has yet to be found. 'This is a matter of public safety as much as it is one of animal welfare,' warns Cooke. 'It is only a matter of time before more lives are lost. We once again offer our full co-operation to all departments and agencies willing to engage in meaningful action.' Municipality confirms challenges The George Municipality reiterated that the challenge of free-roaming animals on public roads remains complex and ongoing. 'We are aware of the dangers posed by stray animals, particularly along the N2, and are actively working with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and community structures, to find sustainable solutions,' says Lee-anne Meiring, the acting director of community safety. Meiring confirms correspondence from the GRSPCA and says law enforcement and security manager Richard von Willigh will arrange a meeting with Sanral and provincial traffic to address the issue. She adds that several animals had been impounded in recent weeks and fines issued where owners could be identified. 'The local horse-riding club has also assisted in managing the situation but has alerted us to the horse camps being vandalised at night, which leads to animals escaping. 'We are working with all stakeholders to improve safety for both animals and road users, however, it is crucial that animal owners also take responsibility to prevent these incidents,' she says. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
