“A Baboon Can’t Close a Gate”: Court Rules Racist Slur Against NSPCA Inspectors Was Hate Speech

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) welcomes the ruling delivered on 30 September 2025 by the Equality Court for the District of Stutterheim in the matter against the Eastern Cape farmer, Gregory John Miles. The case stems from an incident on 9 March 2021, during which NSPCA Inspectors were subjected to racial slurs while attending to a complaint at Miles’ sheep farm.

Following a report of compromised sheep, National Inspectors Singh and Khumalo visited Miles’ farm on 09 March 2021, entering through an open gate. Finding the premises vacant, they prepared to leave and return the following day. However, as they approached the exit, they encountered Miles, who aggressively confronted them. During the exchange, he shouted, “You f*****g c***s want to stop farmers from exporting live sheep!”

Miles then locked the gates, preventing the Inspectors from leaving, and released them only after a heated exchange. The Inspectors subsequently opened a case of kidnapping and crimen injuria at the Stutterheim SAPS that same afternoon.

When Inspectors Singh and Khumalo returned to the property the following day with a warrant, accompanied by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Miles made a racially abusive remark saying, “A baboon can’t f*****g close a gate because it has a f*****g tail.” Despite the farmer’s attempts to interfere, the Inspectors proceeded to execute their mandate in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

In addition to the criminal charges, the Inspectors lodged a complaint through the South African Human Rights Commission (East London), leading to proceedings before the Equality Court.

In his answering affidavit, Miles admitted making the statements but denied that they amounted to a violation of human rights. The court, however, found that his remarks constituted hate speech. As a result, Miles has been ordered to issue a written apology to Inspectors Singh and Khumalo and to pay R50,000 in damages to the NSPCA. The related criminal matter, which had been provisionally abated pending the Equality Court’s decision, will now be reinstated.

“We remain deeply shocked and hurt by Miles’ comments, especially as our intent was to first and foremost ensure the welfare of his animals,” says Nazareth Appalsamy, the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit Manager. “No Inspector should ever be subjected to racial abuse or obstruction while carrying out their lawful duties.”

The NSPCA commends this landmark ruling as the first of its kind for the organisation and applauds Inspectors Singh and Khumalo for pursuing justice in the face of abuse. Their actions reaffirm that NSPCA Inspectors, empowered under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, are entitled to carry out their statutory responsibilities free from harassment or prejudice.

The NSPCA remains committed to promoting compassion, equality, and justice for both animals and humans.