BREAKING NEWS: Fifth break-in devastates Nelspruit SPCA
The damages are more than R17 000.
Another break-in happened at the Nelspruit SPCA last night, making it five break-ins in just over two weeks.
According to SPCA vice-chairman Ludi Botha, the remainder of lights not already stolen on Sunday evening, were taken last night.
The fence was also cut, posing a danger for the animals.
“What can we do? They also stole the cages that we put out as homes for the wild cats. It makes us so mad,” Botha said.
“It is absolutely atrocious,” said the shelter’s chairman, Lize Pienaar, following the fourth break-in on Sunday.
“I do not understand it. We already have so little and now people want to steal from us.”
On Monday morning, SPCA personnel saw some of the shelter’s security lights had been stolen the previous night.
The value of the lights is estimated at about R2 000.
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“We upgraded our whole security-light system last year to protect not only the premises, but the animals that we keep here,” Pienaar explained.
According to Pienaar, during the first two break-ins, equipment was stolen.
“They cut the fence and broke in to our shed, where they stole the equipment.”
During the third break-in, Pienaar claimed that maize meal and cat’s sand was stolen.
At the time of going to press, provincial police spokesman, Col Mtsholi Bhembe, could not confirm that cases had been opened with the police.
The estimated value of all the stolen items, including the lights that was stolen in both incidents, is more than R17 000
According Botha, they are also in dire need of donations of cash and food.
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“We also urgently need wooden poles and corrugated iron so that we can erect temporary shelters for when we need to take farm animals into our care,” Botha said.
He added that the organisation’s monthly donations have taken a knock.
“We are struggling to pay our running expenses. We appeal to the community and businesses for donations.”
To donate to the shelter, contact 013-753-3582 or visit them at 6 Meidlinger Street.
You can also assist the shelter by adopting one of the following animals:
