The Zimbabwean, Amton Masuku, was sentenced by the Ladybrand Magistrate's Court last week. He was found guilty of contravening the Animals Protection Act (No. 71 of 1962, section 2(1)(a),(b), and (c), contravening the provisions of section 8(8) of the Stock Theft Act (No. 57 of 1959) and the provisions of section 49(1)(a) as amended by Section 45(1)(a) of Act 19 of 2004 of Act 13 of 2011, read with section 1, 11, 26, and 27 of the Immigration Act 2002 (No. 13 of 2002). 

Meyer expressed her satisfaction with the ruling against the accused. Photo: Supplied/Bloemfontein SAPS

According to the Bloemfontein SPCA Chief Inspector, Reinet Meyer, Masuku was sentenced as following:
Count 1: Fined R10 000 or spend 12 months in prison;
Count 2: Fined R4 000 or 9 months imprisonment, of which R4000 or 9 months is suspended for five years on condition that during that period the accused does not contravene section 8(1) of the Stock Theft Act again; and lastly
Count 3: Fined R1 500 or 3 months imprisonment. 

He was further ordered to be deported upon the expiry of his sentence.

Masuku’s arrest emanated from an incident which occurred on 4 April 2023, when the Bloemfontein-based SPCA was called to immediate action after receiving an anonymous complaint that a truck was transporting sheep, goats, and cattle in horrendous conditions in Marquard.

The truck had no ventilation. Photo: Supplied/Bloemfontein SAPS

“When arriving at the scene, the inspectorate immediately started to act on a severe case of animal cruelty. Goats (14) and sheep (17) were crammed into the back of a truck. The truck had no ventilation, and the floor inside the vehicle was covered in the urine and faeces of the livestock. The truck had no non-slip gridding, resulting in the animals falling into their excrement. The animals were shaken and thrown around during the transportation from Vereeniging in Gauteng to the small town in the Free State, resulting in two sheep breaking legs,” explained Meyer.

She detailed how animals were transported for over 300 km in horrific conditions and revealed that the smell inside the truck was horrendous. 

The floor inside the vehicle was covered in the urine and faeces of the livestock. Photo: Supplied/Bloemfontein SAPS

“When we entered the truck, we could feel our lungs burning.  We could imagine how those poor animals felt – afraid and covered in their urine and faeces. The prolonged exposure to the filth inside the truck caused the sheep and goats to develop severe respiratory conditions and had clear indications of nasal discharge resulting in them struggling to breathe. The entire Bloemfontein Inspectorate agreed that those animals must be loaded on a different trailer to be taken to safety. We all had a moment of sadness to think that people think of sentient beings as nothing more than something to bother about or trade, which showed me the world we live in indeed does not have any care left,” she said.

Meyer expressed her satisfaction with the ruling against the accused and said that it has sent a strong message that animal abuse will not be tolerated within our society and also serves as a reminder that animals have rights and that those who disregard their welfare will face the consequences of their actions.

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