The bail application of Dudu Nkoyena, Cleopatra Mlambo and Moses Skosana, accused of assaulting and setting alight five cats in Mgababa Section, Putfontein, was denied by the Daveyton Magistrate’s Court on January 13.

The trio spent the festive season in prison following their arrest on December 1 in connection with the alleged incident, which occurred on November 3.

They are accused of attacking the cats after accusing their owner, 65-year-old Nomsa Maseko, of using the animals for witchcraft.

During the incident, Maseko’s shack was allegedly vandalised, leaving her homeless and destitute. She is currently staying with a Good Samaritan who took her in.

The trio faces charges of animal cruelty, malicious damage to property and trespassing.

During the bail application on December 18, defence attorneys pleaded with the court to release their clients, arguing that they posed no threat to the community and were not flight risks, as none of them possesses a passport.

In presenting their personal circumstances, the court heard that Nkoyena is unemployed and lives with her husband and four children. Mlambo is also unemployed and resides with her husband and children. Skosana (67) is a pensioner, single and has no children.

However, prosecutor Mandusha Kandylall opposed bail, telling the court that the accused allegedly forced their way into the complainant’s home and committed what she described as a “heinous act of violence” against both Maseko and her pets.

She said the cruel and inhumane deaths suffered by the animals were irreparable and demonstrated the accused’s blatant disregard for the law.
Kandylall added that, as adults of sound mental capacity, the accused should have known the difference between right and wrong and understood what constitutes torture and cruelty.

The court subsequently denied bail, and they were remanded in custody.

The matter has been postponed to February 2.

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