The Sandton SPCA has raised concerns about the welfare of goats, frequently seen roaming around Pan Africa Shopping Centre in Alexandra.
According to Stephen Maila, general manager and senior inspector at the organisation, the urban environment poses multiple risks to the animals and the public. “Those goats eat food that gets disposed of on the side of the road. They forage on plastic. That is an issue.” He was speaking during the City of Johannesburg’s service delivery operation in Alexandra on November 4. The city had roped in Sandton SPCA to address the issue of stray goats, which are often seen around Pan Africa Shopping Centre.

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Although the goats are usually in the area, feasting on anything disposed by informal traders who used to occupy the area, they were no where to be found on November 4. MMC Eunice Mgcina said maybe the owner had been told about the operation and had decided to lock them away.

Speaking about why the Pan area isn’t ideal for goats, Maila stressed that it lacks grazing spaces, and forces goats to scavenge in hazardous conditions. “There isn’t a lot of grazing, where they can safely graze grass, because it is in a town. The environment is not conducive to have goats just roaming around.”

He shared that the SPCA often responds to reports of injured goats, many of which have been hit by vehicles. In some cases, the animals suffer prolonged pain before intervention. “Very often these goats get knocked down by vehicles, and nobody reports that to the SPCA. Sometimes we get a report of an injured goat. When we come and collect it, we find there is no owner.” Maila added that many owners fear liability for vehicle damage when their animals cause accidents, and injured goats often become a financial burden due to treatment costs. He noted that some goats give birth on public roads while foraging in groups.

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Despite SPCA efforts to rescue and shelter them, owners rarely come forward to reclaim them. Furthermore, he emphasised that it is important for livestock owners to relocate their animals to rural homelands, where grazing is abundant and the five freedoms of animal welfare can be upheld. “In the City of Johannesburg, where there are tar roads and they are exposed to getting knocked down by vehicles, it is not really ideal. We need to create an environment where animals, and people, are safe, and everybody can thrive.”

Although they conduct monthly inspections and occasional raids, he said SPCA prioritises education before enforcement. “We believe in education. We educate before we act. We also educate that this is not an ideal environment where they can have goats.”

Maila called for stronger collaboration between the SPCA, municipal departments, and city officials to establish co-ordinated efforts that safeguard both animals and residents.

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