Common assault charge laid against Bunny Park worker
Two Benoni Bunny Park volunteers were attacked by a worker after they entered the facility’s notorious “death pit” today (May 3).
A charge of common assault was opened at the Benoni Police Station after the employee approached Tania Forrest-Smith (Bunny Park Animals 911 Group) and Smaragda Louw (Ban Animal Trading chairperson).
READ: DISTURBING IMAGE: Animal allegedly kicked to death at Bunny Park
Const Zunickha Essakjee, Benoni SAPS spokesperson, confirmed the incident happened in the park at around 1pm.
“A common assault charge means there is no arrest, everything will be decided in court,” Essakjee added.
Forrest-Smith couldn’t believe the situation at the facility has escalated to the point of physical harm against the volunteers.
“We went to look in the death pit at the park,” she said.
“One of the workers approached and started swearing at us.
“When Smaragda tried to take a picture with her phone, the woman attacked us.
“If I have to go back alone, I’ll fear for my life.”
Louw noted how the woman pushed them around and held her finger in close proximity to their faces.
“As we entered the death pit (before the assault), the workers started chanting a (strange) song,” Louw said.
“When we told Willem (caretaker) of the incident afterwards, he said: ‘I didn’t see it, so I can’t do anything.’”
Both women said they were not deterred by the attack and would continue feeding the animals.
“When animals’ lives are at stake, we will not be intimidated,” Louw said.
“I’m not afraid at all, this comes with the territory of animal rights activism.”
Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe was asked for comment, but was unaware of the incident at the time of publication.
