According to a statement by the NSPCA’s Jaco Pieterse, the Matlosana Animal Shelter and its personnel, who illegally occupied the premises of the SPCA, were evicted on Friday 12 August by the Sheriff of the Stilfontein Court following an eviction order issued by the local Magistrate.

The NSPCA obtained an urgent eviction order in May 2016 following an illegal takeover of SPCA property in Stilfontein by former staff members. The Matlosana Animal Shelter gave the Court notice of its intention to appeal the decision of the Magistrate, which did not materialise.

The Matlosana Animal Shelter is managed and owned by former SPCA employee, Suzette Kotze, whose racist slur on social media led to her suspension, after which the new welfare organisation was formed and began to operate illegally from the SPCA premises. The shelter promotes itself as opposed to the euthanasia of animals.

NSPCA and SPCA personnel regained possession of the property  and found 7 dead dogs and 7 dead cats in the freezer. None of these animals had visible injuries and appeared to have been euthanased. All live animals were removed from the SPCA premises by the Matlosana Animal Shelter.

The Matlosana SPCA will continue with its affairs on both its premises in Klerksdorp and Stilfontein. We would like to assure our supporters that all animals in the area will be attended to and that the Matlosana SPCA will continue to take in stray and unwanted animals at both its facilities.