NSPCA can now photograph, film, document animal conditions on vessel

THE Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda has granted the National Council of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) the green light to board any ship exporting animals and document, through photographs or video the conditions of the animals.

- NICOLA DANIELS

The animal rights group successfully appealed an earlier judgment due to its “limited nature’, in that only four officers out of 10 , "together with the South African Competent Authorities" were authorised to board the vessel but prohibited all photographs, video footage, and scanned documentation.

Eastern Cape High Court Judge, Zamani Nhlangulela ruled: "The evidence shows that the Guidelines and the World Organisation for Animal Health Code (WOAH/OIE), provide for health and welfare standards for animals on voyage and disembarkation, and express the aims of the Animals Protection Act (APA), which facilitate animal exportation. These instruments impose specific requirements in respect of vehicles and the vessel used for transportation of animals, the holding facilities used prior to loading as well as loading and offloading of the animals."

The matter relates to a 2023 judgment, where the East London District Magistrates’ Court granted an order authorising the four officers to enter a vessel berthed at the East London Harbour, and examine 53000 animals (comprising sheep, goats and cattle) kept in the vessel to determine the physical condition of the animals.