Shocking bestiality claims in Zululand

THREE appalling cases of bestiality involving two goats and a pig have been reported to the Empangeni SPCA in the last month alone.

However, owing to a lack of evidence and credible witnesses willing to testify, no formal charges have been laid against the suspects aged between 18 and 37 years of age.

The incidents were reported at Matshana, Ngwelezane and Somopho respectively with one of the goats reportedly found ‘adorned with dreadlocks’ after the sexual act.

‘This is a nationwide problem because community members somehow believe the notion that they will not contract HIV if they have sex with animals,’ said Empangeni SPCA Senior Inspector Roland Fivas.

‘People wait too long to report these cases and witnesses are afraid to come forward. In such instances, veterinary samples have to be done within 72 hours of the crime. If the community is fearful about reporting the rape of an animal, what happens when a child or woman is raped?’ Fivas said.

He said bestiality was a criminal offence and urged community members to report incidents to the SAPS as soon as possible.

‘If the community is fearful about reporting the rape of an animal, what happens when a child or woman is raped?’

‘We work with the police on these cases as charges can be laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Offences) Amendment Act. The police cannot prosecute a suspect without evidence in the form of veterinary samples and credible witnesses,’ said Fivas.

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