Two of the three men who appeared in court in connection with illegal slaughter and possession of donkey meat were released on bail by the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Stephen Sepeng and Collen Molapo were released on bail of R1‚000 and R500 respectively. The third suspect Mgcini Dube, a Zimbabwean national, was denied bail.
SPCA inspector Mishack Matlou said he was disappointed the court released the two on bail. The men were arrested on Thursday 29 November after an off-duty police officer spotted a suspicious Citi Golf and followed itto a house in Klipgat.
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“He held the suspects up and searched their vehicle. The cop was shocked to discover the donkey meat. He called on-duty police officers to make the arrest,” said police spokesperson Nelson Mabuza.
“We feel let down by the courts. The suspects were caught red-handed. They killed these donkeys in a very cruel manner. We had wanted to oppose their bail application,” said Matlou.
Matlou said he was concerned about the killing of animals in the northern parts of Pretoria. “We are also worried that people are being fed donkey meat without their knowledge,” he said.
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It was not the first time the police had arrested people in possession of stolen donkey meat in the area. The SPCA warned residents north of the city to be wary of being fed donkey meat.
Matlou recently said 33 donkey carcasses had been found north of Pretoria – Winterveldt, Kgabalatsane, Klipgat and Madidi – with meat removed. “In all instances, only the legs, head and skin were left behind,” said Matlou.
“We do not know what they are doing with the meat. We want to appeal to community members to be wary when buying meat, especially those buying and selling food around the community,” said Matlou.
“We want to make people aware, especially those who like pap and vleis to check their meat carefully”.
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