The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) confirms that a man who attempted to pass himself off as a qualified SPCA Inspector was arrested last week and has since appeared in court.
The individual applied for a vacancy at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, initially presenting a CV that made no mention of being an SPCA Inspector. But in a second application, his story grew bolder: he claimed to be a Qualified NSPCA Inspector and Field Officer, registered with the South African Veterinary Council as an Animal Welfare Assistant. To seal his fiction, he submitted what looked like an official NSPCA Inspector Competency Certificate.
Upon verification, the NSPCA confirmed that no such qualifications existed on record, and the certificate was convincingly falsified – even imitating the signatures of NSPCA officials.
On 3 September 2025, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA invited the individual to an interview. During this meeting, he presented additional documents to substantiate his fabricated history. Luckily, law enforcement had already been notified. He was arrested during the process and will bring an application for bail on 19 September 2025. He remains in custody until then.
The individual is also under investigation by the South African Veterinary Council for fraud and other related crimes, and has at least eight pending cases against him, registered with police stations across Cape Town.
A case was opened against the accused, including for fraud, uttering, contraventions of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Act 19 of 1982, and contraventions of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 169 of 1993.
This case should serve as a warning: holding oneself out to be an SPCA Inspector is not a harmless exaggeration. It is a serious criminal offence. All SPCA Inspectors are law enforcement officials, duly authorised by their district’s Magistrate, and carry official identification. Members of the public are urged to exercise caution and to contact their local SPCA if ever in doubt.
“To think that the SPCA, as a non-profit movement, is being so brazenly exploited for personal gain is deeply disturbing,” said Esté Kotzé, CEO of the NSPCA.
The NSPCA commends the Cape of Good Hope SPCA for their diligence and swift action in this matter. Their vigilance, coupled with mandatory qualification verification processes, ensured that this individual was exposed, and that justice will now take its course.
Further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
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