Rectification plans have been implemented to take good care of horses with the SA Army Specialised Infantry Capability (SAASIC), Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga has stated, seven years after the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) was called out for mal- and mistreatment of its horses.
Motshekga in late June responded to a Parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance’s Chris Hattingh. He was informed “the matter [raised by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)] and previous shortcomings have been adequately addressed and, so far, the implemented mechanisms are satisfactory”. Her response appears to take into account the findings of 2018 SA Army Board of Inquiry (BoI) called by then Chief Lindile Yam. The BoI was set up in the wake of at least 25 horses being put down at SAASIC and others moved to Rooiwal, north-west of the Tshwane metro in the wake of severe neglect, starvation, and cruelty.
Hattingh’s questions to Motshekga follow a May announcement by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) that the North West Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), listed as Advocate Makhari-Sekhaolelo by the National Prosecutions Service, commenced prosecution proceedings against the SANDF in the wake of the maltreatment of military horses in the care of SAASIC following on-site inspections by the SPCA. The announcement appears to be an outcome of two separate charges brought by the NSPCA at the SA Police Service (SAPS) Potchefstroom police station. The first, in May 2018, was for starvation and neglect of horses, with the second, in January 2019, for “deliberate brutality” to SAASIC equine assets.
Motshekga further told her questioner during the 10 year period starting in 2015, R29.4 million was spent on SAASIC equine operations.
Hattingh’s attention was drawn to the establishment of an animal ethics committee (AEC) at SAASIC in Potchefstroom, which meets monthly. In addition to an NSPCA representative being present, it includes “members of the Infantry Formation, SSASIC, Level 2 Product System Manager, Logistic section, Budget manager and a representative from the Military Veterinary Institute.”
There is no indication in the Motshekga response if the AEC is a further outcome of a 2013 memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed three years later, between the SANDF and NSPCA regarding “adequate control” of military animals. When the equine abuse was found by SPCA inspectors, the national body said the SANDF “particularly SAASIC continually reneged” on it.
Asked whether the SANDF will co-operate in prosecution of animal cruelty and not attempt to delay, deflect or obstruct justice, Motshekga is on record as saying the law will be allowed to take its course.
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