A Limpopo Captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS), who also works as a pastor, has been convicted of severely beating two young goats and leaving them for dead, four years after the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) first took up the case.
In July 2022, an Inspector from the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit was conducting inspections in Limpopo when a woman from Moletji, a remote rural settlement, called for help. Her two young goats, known as kids, had been beaten so badly they could not lift their heads. The bone of one kid’s hind leg was protruding through the skin. Both were barely alive and in considerable pain, and the Inspector euthanised them to prevent further suffering.
A postmortem found that a sharp object had been used repeatedly on the same area of each animal, causing multiple fractures to the tibia in their hind legs.
The investigation identified the accused as Mr Lepogo Hermanus Matsi, a prominent member of the community, a pastor, and a serving SAPS Captain. He told the Inspector that he beat the goats with a stick to “teach them a lesson” for entering the church yard and feeding on the trees.
For four years, the Inspector pushed to have the case enrolled. During that time, the case experienced repeated evidential and administrative setbacks, including evidence that was reported missing on three occasions. The original Investigating Officer was replaced during the course of the investigation. Each time, the Inspector escalated the matter to the relevant authority, until the case was enrolled.
The accused pled guilty to animal cruelty under the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962. He was fined R4,000 and now has a criminal record.
“I still see those kids when I close my eyes. I feel I failed them by not getting them the justice they deserved for this heinous act of cruelty,” said the NSPCA Inspector.
While the NSPCA believes that a stronger sentence would have better reflected the seriousness of the cruelty involved, the conviction itself is significant. It results in the accused having a criminal record and reinforces the principle that cruelty to animals is a criminal offence with legal consequences. The NSPCA has also escalated this matter to the SAPS Provincial Commissioner for further investigations.
The NSPCA remains committed to ensuring that every allegation of animal cruelty is investigated thoroughly and pursued through the criminal justice system, regardless of the status or position of those responsible. No person is above the law where animal cruelty is concerned.
If you are made aware of crimes against animals, please report them to your local SPCA or email nspca@nspca.co.za.
If you are as passionate about animals and their well-being as we are, consider supporting our causes by donating.
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