Gruesome find at spruit
Slaughtered goats, beheaded chickens and animal carcasses were found in and around the Blesbokspruit ± 1.5km behind John Vorster Stadium. Christelene Berry, Roche Pepler and Santana Pestana went on an outing with their quadbikes on September 15 when they found a dead animal floating in the spruit.
Upon closer investigation, they saw it was a goat with its stomach slashed and a fetus exposed. Another two dead goats were spotted in the water and one had an ear tag with a number on. Carcasses and beheaded chickens, a voodoo doll and candles placed in the ground were also spotted.
“We often go out on weekends quadbiking. We saw beheaded chickens on previous occasions, but at that time did not think much of it. We were shocked by what we found on September 15 and reported it to the Ekurhuleni Municipality Environmental Health department and to Wollaston Labuschagne (DA councillor)”, Christelene said.
“The goats, beheaded chickens, voodoo doll and candles made me think that these deeds could be related to some sort of ritual,” Roche added. “Labuschagne responded to my complaint and we met at the site on September 21 to show him where we made the gruesome discovery,” Christelene said.
The Blesbokspruit originates north of Daveyton and runs past the towns of Springs, Nigel and Heidelberg, before it joins the Suikerbosrand River. The Marievale Bird Sanctuary is situated in its upper reaches.
“We were disgusted by what we found and the smell was terrible. Our family often visit the spruit and surrounding area and we are very concerned of the impact of what we found can have on the environment,”Christelene added.
HERAUT referred the matter to Ekurhuleni Municipality, Environmental department who responded by confirming that an investigation was done by their health workers on September 21 who visited the Blesbokspruit and confirmed that they did find the carcasses and slaughtered goats. Themba Gadebe (CoE spokesperson) informed HERAUT that the assistance from Nigel SAPS and EMPD will be requested for further investigations for possible legal actions against the offender. Evidence collected from the scene such as ear tags will be handed over to SAPS NIGEL to identify the owner of the animals. Waste management has been contacted to assist with the removal and safe disposal of the carcasses.
Anyone with information which could assist this investigation, can phone Gadebe on 011 999 1522 / 064 230 6559 or send an email to themba.gadebe@ekurhuleni.gov.za
