On September 5 the SPCA received a call from Witbank SAPS Stock Theft Unit regarding a case of mistreatment on the Verena Road.
SPCA inspector Mpho Mokoane and her associate arrived on the scene, which was an open field next to several trees a kilometre or so off Verena Road. Workers from the nearby farm found the animals while chopping wood and reported it to the police.
Even after more than 20 years of service with the SPCA what she saw still shocked her intensely.
“I cannot believe how people can be so cruel,” she said sadly. There were three adult cattle found half starving to death and lying on the ground in agony with their limbs sliced. One of the cattle was already dead with a large wound in its side and pools of dry blood around the body which indicated a struggle.
One of the cattle was just a calf.
The SPCA quickly euthanized the animals. Police linked the animals to a case of stock theft in Emalahleni that was reported several days before. They also found bottled water, a wooden club and cattle hide on the scene as well, supposedly left behind by the thieves.
It was painful for Mokoane and the others to watch one of the animals try to stand up and limp away unsuccessfully from them in fear.
The police are investigating the crime although no arrests have yet been made.
Ag nee. Sies man! Hoe sal die bloody diewe voel as mens dit met hulle moet doen!??? Vang die slegte goed!en kap net een van hulle bene se senings af. Wed jou dit sal die laaste keer wees dat hulle weer so iets sal doen!