Latest news with #AnimalsProtectionAct
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Cape of Good Hope SPCA intervenes in illegal sheep transport
Inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA together with the City of Cape Town's Animal Control Unit Auxiliary officers intervened in two cases of cruelty involving the illegal transport of sheep for traditional purposes on Sunday morning in Phillippi. Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said inspectors were patrolling the area when they came across the sheep intended for cultural slaughtering. Inspectors found one trailer "dangerously" overloaded with seven sheep, their legs tightly bound, piled on top of one another, while another trailer carried four sheep, also with legs bound, one with a severe, burst, and infected eye injury. 'The stench was overwhelming. Both trailers were in direct violation of the Animals Protection Act, and one driver who was unlicensed, along with the trailer was fined by Law Enforcement. The sheep were seized by our inspectors and are now in the safe care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. "All of the animals were destined for religious slaughter, but cruelty is never justified, no matter the context. We have a legal and moral duty to act and we will continue to do so. No animal deserves to suffer.'
Daily Maverick
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
North West officials evade responsibility for Madikwe elephant crisis, say MPs
More than 1,000 starving elephants may have to be culled. Parliamentarians demand answers by tomorrow (Friday). In a scathing parliamentary session on Tuesday, 10 June members of the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment accused North West officials of gross mismanagement and evasion of responsibility for the ongoing elephant crisis in the Madikwe Game Reserve. The crisis, years in the making, has led to mass starvation and death among elephants, extensive environmental degradation and a controversial proposal to cull as many as 1,200 of them. The most damning testimony came from Douglas Wolhurter, manager of the Wildlife Protection Unit at the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), whose presentation laid bare a catalogue of failings by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) and the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism. 'This is not a sudden crisis,' Wolhurter told the committee. 'It is the result of decades of inaction. The elephant population did not explode overnight – these animals breed slowly. Every warning sign was ignored.' According to the NSPCA, Madikwe Game Reserve now holds more than 1,600 elephants – more than triple the reserve's original carrying capacity of 500, and more than six times the 250-elephant maximum suggested by early management plans. The consequence has been catastrophic: at least 70 elephants have died of starvation since August 2024, with many more in advanced stages of malnutrition. The NSPCA documented suffering animals and dead elephants whose tusks had not been removed or logged in accordance with the law – a breach of the Animals Protection Act and TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) regulations. Wolhurter's presentation triggered a sharp reaction from members of the committee. 'This is probably one of the most shocking presentations I've seen,' said DA MP Andrew de Blocq. 'It's absolute neglect. What concrete actions have been taken to hold the board and management accountable for what they themselves admit is severe mismanagement?' Questions by a number of parliamentarians cut to the heart of the crisis: why were long-term preventative measures like immunocontraception denied by NWPTB even though they were offered repeatedly for free by the Humane World for Animals – in 1998, 2020 and 2023? Why were the NSPCA, despite their legal mandate under the Animals Protection Act, excluded from the second and subsequent meetings of the provincial task team overseeing the crisis response? Why has no independent investigation been launched? The North West response was weak at best. Jonathan Denga, acting CEO of the NWPTB, confirmed that the province had known about the issue for years but offered no justification for the failure to act. 'Yes, the elephant population is a serious problem,' Denga said. 'But many of the management options have been exhausted. We are trying to bring balance.' Pressed by a number of MPs, Denga and NWPTB chairperson Khorommbi Matibe admitted that the NSPCA had not been invited to the task team as promised and gave no timeline for actual action. 'Unfortunately, we were not privy to the NSPCA's presentation beforehand,' said Matibe. 'We need time to study it before responding in detail.' That response drew a sharp rebuke from committee chairperson Nqabisa Gantsho, who issued a stern directive: 'You have three days to respond. We expect answers by Friday, June 13.' Wolhurter had previously noted that even though a draft culling plan was shared with the NSPCA in December 2024, the organisation had received no formal updates or invitations to task team meetings since then. 'We were told we'd be included as key stakeholders,' he said, 'but that never happened.' Meanwhile, public scrutiny is intensifying. A tender issued in May by the NWPTB proposes the trophy hunting of 25 elephants, two black rhinos and 10 buffalo in Madikwe – a move widely condemned by conservationists and tourism operators, who say it risks damaging the reserve's reputation and undermining non-lethal wildlife management strategies. The North West Parks tender to buy hunting and culling 'packages' for Madikwe game reduction. Although sold as a 'game reduction' strategy, critics argue that the tender was rushed, non-transparent and economically motivated. 'This is a reputational nightmare,' one lodge operator said anonymously. 'Tourism partners were not even consulted before this tender was issued.' Scientific assessments presented by the NWPTB and echoed by Wolhurter confirm that the elephant density in Madikwe – at 2.7 animals per square kilometre – is likely to be the highest of any enclosed reserve in South Africa. In contrast, the average for state-run reserves is just 0.79 elephants per square kilometre. While all sides agree that the current population is unsustainable, the divergence lies in how to respond. The NSPCA has called for immediate inclusion in the task team, independent oversight of any culling process and long-term ecological restoration – beginning with invasive species removal and veld recovery. But even the basics are missing. 'We're still waiting for a detailed ecological restoration plan,' De Blocq pointed out. 'There is nothing measurable in place to rehabilitate the veld or ensure that the reserve can sustain its intended population.' In closing, Gantsho didn't mince her words: 'This is a matter of urgency. We have seen suffering animals. We have seen death. We have seen degradation. The time for delays is over.' This week will reveal whether North West can rise to the occasion – or continue evading accountability. DM
eNCA
11-06-2025
- eNCA
Influencer faces charges after abused dog is rescued
JOHANNESBURG - The NSPCA has confirmed that Bobby, the emaciated dog seen in the background of a viral social media video, is finally safe and in their care. The influencer at the centre of the storm is now facing charges under the Animals Protection Act. The video, which surfaced last week, showed a social media influencer dancing for the camera while a severely malnourished dog sat in the background. Bobby appeared weak and neglected, sparking widespread outrage online. 'She is the most lovable dog, handing out kisses to everyone since the moment she arrived,' the NSPCA said in a statement. 'Bobby was found severely malnourished, suffering from fly strike, and covered in ticks and fleas. She had even been forced to eat plastic to survive.' The NSPCA's Special Projects Unit immediately launched an investigation and successfully tracked down both Bobby's owner and the influencer. Bobby was taken into custody and is now receiving veterinary care and proper nutrition. While she remains in poor condition, the NSPCA says she is on a 'long road to recovery.' Once she has regained her strength and health, she will be sterilised and made available for adoption into 'the loving and caring home she deserves.' The influencer reportedly sarcastically mocked the NSPCA online after learning that the organisation was looking for her. But the tone has since changed. 'Now, she will be facing charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act, while Bobby walked out victorious against her cruelty,' the NSPCA confirmed.
The South African
08-06-2025
- The South African
SPCA intervenes after inhumane transport of SHEEP
SPCA inspectors, together with the City of Cape Town's Animal Control Unit Auxiliary Officers, intervened in two cases of cruelty involving the illegal transport of sheep on Sunday morning. In the first instance, a trailer was dangerously overloaded with seven sheep, their legs tightly bound, piled on top of one another. In the second instance, another trailer carried four sheep, also with legs bound – one with a severe, burst, and infected eye injury. The stench was reported to be overwhelming. Both trailers were in direct violation of the Animals Protection Act, and one driver – who was unlicensed, along with the trailer – was fined by Law Enforcement. The sheep were seized by the inspectors and are now in the safe care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. All of the animals were destined for religious slaughter, but cruelty is never justified, no matter the context. According to the SPCA, transporting animals must comply with the SANS 1488:2014 'Humane Transportation of Livestock by Road', which requires: No overloading of trailers Non-slip flooring to prevent injury Vehicles suitable for the species Proper railings and loading ramps No tethering of animals Separate transport for different species Horned and dehorned animals must be transported separately As per the SPCA, it has a legal and moral duty to act – and we will continue to do so. No animal deserves to suffer. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Lion breeding industry remains 'unchanged' says NSPCA
According to the NSPCA, its inspectors continue to encounter widespread contraventions of the Animals Protection Act. The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has warned that little to no progress has been made in shutting down South Africa's captive lion breeding industry, despite a series of government commitments and legal recommendations. During a briefing to the portfolio committee on environment, forestry and fisheries on Tuesday, National Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter said that 'nothing has changed' — highlighting ongoing welfare violations and a continued lack of enforcement, despite a government-backed plan to phase out lion farming. Lack of action despite recommendations In 2020, a High-Level Panel (HLP) recommended a full audit of lion farms, a moratorium on breeding, and the elimination of lion bone stockpiles. These proposals were adopted in April 2024 through the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) report. However, the NSPCA says none of these have been fully implemented. '[There has been] no full and extensive audit of the industry, no moratorium on breeding, and lion bone stockpiles still exist,' the presentation read. ALSO READ: Chicken farm funded by PIC fails to reverse court order against inhumane practices Disturbing welfare conditions persist According to the NSPCA, its inspectors continue to encounter widespread contraventions of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. These include lack of potable water, inadequate shelter, insufficient veterinary care, poor hygiene, and evidence of neglect. 'Any person who unnecessarily starves or under-feeds or denies water or food to any animal is in violation,' the NSPCA reminded parliament, citing section 2 (1)(c) of the Act. One example included lion cubs discarded in rubbish dumps, with undeclared carcasses and bones also recovered. 'How were the lions treated when alive, and how did they die?' the NSPCA asked. ALSO READ: Addo Park moves elephants to avoid culling While court rulings have affirmed the NSPCA's mandate—declaring animal welfare and conservation as 'intertwined values'—the organisation expressed frustration with ongoing delays. 'The justice process is too slow, and penalties remain insufficient,' the presentation said. In one recent case, a guilty party received a suspended 12-month sentence or a R4 000 fine. ALSO READ: Farmers 'on the edge' over crippling foot and mouth disease A call for meaningful collaboration The NSPCA has called on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to provide project-specific funding to allow for joint inspections and audits. 'The NSPCA is willing to work in Joint Operations with the DFFE and EMIs to effect coordinated inspections […] and the information sharing must be a two-way street for effective compliance' Wolhuter warned against replacing lions with other exotic species, such as tigers. 'South Africa cannot allow tigers to replace lions, as welfare still applies,' he stated. NOW READ: Rabies warning: Over 4 800 people bitten by animals in Limpopo every year
