SANDF’s Starved Horses – 7 Years Later

After seeking justice for seven years, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) welcomes the long-awaited decision by the North West Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to initiate prosecution against the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), following the severe neglect, starvation, and cruelty inflicted on military horses in the care of the South African Army Special Infantry Capability (SAASIC) Unit.

In 2018, the NSPCA responded to reports of horses in appalling condition at the SAASIC facility in Potchefstroom. Despite a standing agreement between the NSPCA and SANDF to safeguard the welfare of military animals, NSPCA Inspectors found horses housed in inadequate facilities and suffering from extreme malnutrition, some so desperate that they had begun consuming soil and their own faeces.

“Twenty-five severely compromised horses had to be humanely euthanised, with no prospect of recovery and rehabilitation” recalls Dr Bryce Marock, the NSPCA’s Consulting Veterinarian.

Despite repeated engagements urging urgent intervention, the SANDF failed to take the necessary action. With the remaining animals now deteriorating further and no adequate response from the SANDF, the NSPCA was forced to intervene yet again.

“We were able to remove 69 horses from the Potchefstroom base,” says Dr Marock. “Many of them were in such an emaciated condition or compromised state of health, although some were able to find caring homes after the NSPCA’s intervention”.

However, the pursuit of justice proved as difficult as the rescue. Case dockets went missing, accused persons refused to cooperate, and repeated assurances by Potchefstroom SAPS that the matter had been handed over to the court were later shown to be false. By 2022, more than four years after charges were laid, the case had still not reached a prosecutor.

The SANDF’s non-cooperation, compounded by SAPS’s failure to properly manage the investigation, highlighted a disturbing pattern of institutional apathy toward animal welfare and the rule of law.

Now, seven years since the initial discovery, the DPP has authorised prosecution against the SANDF and SAASIC for contraventions of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

This case stands as a powerful testament to the NSPCAs’ unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of animals in all sectors of South African society, even when facing systemic resistance.