Two men have been arrested on suspicion of the sexual abuse of animals, known as bestiality. The arrests followed extensive investigations by the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit (SPU) in Volksrust and Mahlabatini, where the Unit’s Inspectors acted on information received and executed warrants at the properties concerned. Two dogs and fifteen goats were signed over into the care of the NSPCA.
In Volksrust, Mpumalanga, the SPU executed a warrant and found two dogs, one male and one female, on the property – one which matches the dog seen in video evidence in possession of the NSPCA. Both dogs were taken to a place of safekeeping, where a veterinarian conducted forensic examinations. The man was arrested, and the matter was postponed to 27 July 2026 to allow for further investigation. He remains in custody.
The second case, in Mahlabatini, KwaZulu-Natal, involved fifteen goats found during a warranted search of a property. All fifteen were removed and held at a place of safety. Based on evidence, it is believed that at least three of them had been sexually abused. A man, who works as a teacher, was taken into custody. Disappointingly, the Control Prosecutor of the Ulundi [Mahlabatini] Magistrate Court declined to enrol the matter, pending further investigation. The suspect was released from police custody and will be summoned to court, once the South African Police Service have finalised further investigations.
Based on information uncovered, the NSPCA believes that a link exists between the suspects. This is being investigated further.
Bestiality is a serious offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, and gives rise to severe suffering, prosecutable under the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962. These cases are difficult to detect because they take place in private, which is why tip-offs from the public are central to the Unit’s work.
“These cases take months of careful investigative work, from the first tip-off through to the arrest,” said Senior Inspector Arno de Klerk of the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit. “We are seeing more cases of sexual abuse of animals, and we depend heavily on the public to report what they see or hear, so that we can act on it.”
Anyone who suspects that an animal is being sexually abused is urged to report it to their nearest SPCA or to the NSPCA on 011 907 3590 or at www.nspca.co.za. All reports are anonymous.
The animals involved are sentient beings that experience pain, fear and distress. Sexual abuse subjects them to unnecessary suffering and constitutes a serious form of cruelty.
As this remains an active and ongoing investigation, the NSPCA is not in a position to release further details at this time. Further information will be made available as the investigations progress.
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