Tiktok user charged for cruel stunt

A Tik-Tok user from Johannessburg, Lethabo Sebapo, is facing criminal charges after force-feeding a fish alcohol.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) condemned the act as animal cruelty.

In the video, Sebapo is seen holding the fish, which is ‘gasping’ in distress, pouring beer into its mouth and laughing.

“Sebapo will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962,” said Jacques Peacock, communications manager for the National Council of SPCAs in a recent media statement.

“The Farm Animal Protection Unit are awaiting the vet’s report and the docket will hopefully be registered next week,” he said on Friday (24 January) to the ZO.

“We hope this prosecution will serve as a strong deterrent, discouraging individuals not only from publishing acts of animal cruelty as a form of entertainment, but also from committing them in the first place.

“The NSPCA is heartened by the widespread condemnation of Sebapo’s actions, which reflects the compassion many South Africans feel for animals – including fish, who are often overlooked in their capacity for sentience and suffering.”

Any animal cruelty witnessed should first be reported to the local SPCA.

Such incidents should not posted to social media as this will delay the animal receiving the intervention and help that it needs.

Contact Empangeni SPCA on 071 1744746 or Richards Bay SPCA on 035 7532086.

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