Uniformed officers of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) swore at the staff of the SPCA Alberton, threatening to kill them if a bull that had been legally confiscated on the grounds of cruelty was not returned to them for traditional slaughter.
An NSPCA Inspector was assaulted as he tried to get out of his vehicle at the SPCA in Lincoln Road, Alberton. One of the EMPD officers attacked him, using the two-way police radio to strike the NSPCA Inspector on his head and other parts of his body. The Crime Protection Forum intervened and the NSPCA Inspector ran for safety inside the SPCA premises.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) was contacted and dispatched vehicles to the scene. Upon the arrival of SAPS vehicles, the EMPD officers left in their marked vehicles whose registrations had been noted.
Charges of obstruction in terms of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 have been laid against the EMPD officers in addition to charges of assault, intimidation and crimen injuria. An internal complaint will be lodged at the EMPD offices. Charges of cruelty to animals were also laid, relating to the incident below.
Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the NSPCA stopped a vehicle on the R59 close to Alberton which was transporting a bull in an unacceptable manner. It was tethered on its side with its legs, neck and hind quarter tied with nylon rope. The animal’s body was severely swollen and it was in distress. The rope was blocking blood circulation as it was tied tightly around the animal’s body. Personnel from SPCA Alberton were called to the scene to assist.
The SAPS Brackendowns and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department were called to the scene but far from assisting, they tried to convince SPCA/NSPCA personnel to permit the further transportation of the bull to its destination. The bull was confiscated by the SPCA Alberton/NSPCA and was taken to the SPCA in Alberton.
All involved are shocked that serving officers on duty and in uniform could behave in such a manner. The charges laid will be vigorously pursued.