Court sends strong message against animal abuse in Limpopo
Madiba Hofney Maluleka (32), a security guard in Modimolle, who was arrested in April 2019 on 12 accounts relating to animal cruelty, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of R20 000, neither of which were suspended, on Thursday 10 June.
The court in Modimolle found him guilty of involvement in dogfighting activities, illegal hunting with dogs, illegal possession of wild animals and further cruelty towards animals.
The convicted was further declared unfit to own or be in charge of any animal in the future.
According to the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) press release on Monday 14 June, Magistrate Ingrid Mokwena stressed that abuse of animals is not just a minor personality flaw but that studies have found people who torture animals are aggressive towards their fellow man as well.
During testimony NSPCA inspector Ayanda Ngcofe-Carelse recounted the horrific injuries and scars on the dogs as well as the terrible conditions all the animals in his care were subjected to.
The testimonies of two veterinarians further spoke to the suffering of the animals in Maluleka’s care and how this abuse and prolonged cruelty had ultimately led to the death of some of the animals.
During aggravation of sentence state prosecutor Mmakgwaadi Mampana and inspectors of the NSPCA explained the implication of the accused’s actions to the moral fibre of a community, especially children exposed to the violence of dog fighting and wild pig baiting activities.
This case is yet another clear illustration that the abuse of one animal not only indicates the likely abuse of other vulnerable animals but also indicates the existence of additional criminal activity.
The Special Investigations Unit of the NSPCA wishes to extend its appreciation to state prosecutor Mampana and investigating police officer, detective Anita Pretorius, for their dedication to this case and for their devotion to ensuring that justice was served in a case fraught with challenges.
The support of the animal lovers of South Africa and the continued support of the Dogs Trust Worldwide, based in London, England, enables the NSPCA to succeed in these rescues and pursue prosecution of offenders.
