The NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit has uncovered what it calls another horror donkey killing site in the Northern Cape‚ where hundreds of donkeys were allegedly illegally and brutally slaughtered on a farm in Olifantshoek.
Two suspects‚ Heinrich Smit and Dawid Pappie‚ were arrested and have been charged in terms of the Animals Protection Act and the Meat Safety Act‚ following confirmation of a horror operation on their farm and witness reports of donkeys being bludgeoned with hammers and being skinned alive‚ the NSPCA said on Monday.
Inspector Mpho Mokoena of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit said that that an investigation had been launched after reports were received of missing donkeys in the area.
“The trail led to the Smit property and the horrendous findings.”
Despite the NSPCA opposing bail‚ both men were released on January 18 and will appear in the Khatu Magistrate’s Court on February 18‚ it said.
Mokoena said there was a demand for the gelatine contained in donkey skins‚ supposedly for medicinal purposes.
“Our concern is for these gentle creatures that are killed in a barbaric and inhumane manner‚” explained Inspector Mokoena.
“We are of the opinion that the Government is doing very little to end this illegal practice. Many people’s very existence depends on the donkey that they own.”
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