Latest news with #Wolhuter
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
NSPCA pushes for dedicated courts to speed up wildlife cases
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) called for the removal of legislative red tape and an improvement in the judicial system when it came to captive animals. The NSPCA has called for the removal of legislative red tape and an improvement in the judicial system when it comes to captive animals. During a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment on Tuesday, national chief inspector and manager of the NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit, Douglas Wolhuter, the said that in 2023 they advocated for no permits to be issued to new facilities; for a full audit of the lion farming industry; a moratorium on breeding; and putting an end to lion bone stockpiles. He said that some of the challenges faced were a slow justice system and poor penalties for transgressors. Wolhuter pointed out court prosecutions where the accused were found guilty and sentenced to a R4 000 fine or 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 5 years, while another accused was sentenced to R5 000 fine or 10 months imprisonment, half of which was suspended for 5 years. He said that during inspections they found an opium factory, lion cubs discarded in rubbish dumps and illegally kept shark fins and unpermitted lion meet. The NSPCA is willing to partake in a co-ordinated inspection with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to carry out the required audits of facilities, he said. 'None of us can afford to allow the slow pace of getting the job at hand done,' Wolhuter said. Among NSPCA inspection statistics include: 133 predator facility inspections in 2022 64 warnings issued 10 Animal Welfare Notices issued 75 captive lion facilities inspected in 2022 23 lions euthanised 176 captive lion facilities inspected in 2 years The NSPCA was also concerned about snaring, which caused distress and suffering. Acting chairperson of the committee, Ronalda Nalumango, said they must ensure continuous progress especially in addressing the gaps identified by the high-level experts. She said the DFFE will hold a meeting later this month with the Department of Agriculture where they will reflect on the recommendations by the NSPCA. 'They pin-pointed areas where the legislature needed to improve and refine practices between the department and we recognise the challenges in prosecuting individuals,' she said. Dr Lilian Managa, MP and committee member, said government must confront the issue head-on and engage meaningfully. She questioned why the existing legislation meant to protect animals, are not being implemented. Andrew Dirk de Blocq van Scheltinga, MP and committee member, said it has a negative contribution to South Africa's reputation internationally in terms of tourism and unhealthy hunting practices. "There are moral and judiciary reasons to follow through on the recommendations by the task team and panel. The fines are a slap on the wrist and we need to relook at the Animal Protection Act," he said. Cape Argus
The Citizen
6 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Lion breeding industry remains 'unchanged' says NSPCA
According to the NSPCA, its inspectors continue to encounter widespread contraventions of the Animals Protection Act. The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has warned that little to no progress has been made in shutting down South Africa's captive lion breeding industry, despite a series of government commitments and legal recommendations. During a briefing to the portfolio committee on environment, forestry and fisheries on Tuesday, National Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter said that 'nothing has changed' — highlighting ongoing welfare violations and a continued lack of enforcement, despite a government-backed plan to phase out lion farming. Lack of action despite recommendations In 2020, a High-Level Panel (HLP) recommended a full audit of lion farms, a moratorium on breeding, and the elimination of lion bone stockpiles. These proposals were adopted in April 2024 through the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) report. However, the NSPCA says none of these have been fully implemented. '[There has been] no full and extensive audit of the industry, no moratorium on breeding, and lion bone stockpiles still exist,' the presentation read. ALSO READ: Chicken farm funded by PIC fails to reverse court order against inhumane practices Disturbing welfare conditions persist According to the NSPCA, its inspectors continue to encounter widespread contraventions of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. These include lack of potable water, inadequate shelter, insufficient veterinary care, poor hygiene, and evidence of neglect. 'Any person who unnecessarily starves or under-feeds or denies water or food to any animal is in violation,' the NSPCA reminded parliament, citing section 2 (1)(c) of the Act. One example included lion cubs discarded in rubbish dumps, with undeclared carcasses and bones also recovered. 'How were the lions treated when alive, and how did they die?' the NSPCA asked. ALSO READ: Addo Park moves elephants to avoid culling While court rulings have affirmed the NSPCA's mandate—declaring animal welfare and conservation as 'intertwined values'—the organisation expressed frustration with ongoing delays. 'The justice process is too slow, and penalties remain insufficient,' the presentation said. In one recent case, a guilty party received a suspended 12-month sentence or a R4 000 fine. ALSO READ: Farmers 'on the edge' over crippling foot and mouth disease A call for meaningful collaboration The NSPCA has called on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to provide project-specific funding to allow for joint inspections and audits. 'The NSPCA is willing to work in Joint Operations with the DFFE and EMIs to effect coordinated inspections […] and the information sharing must be a two-way street for effective compliance' Wolhuter warned against replacing lions with other exotic species, such as tigers. 'South Africa cannot allow tigers to replace lions, as welfare still applies,' he stated. NOW READ: Rabies warning: Over 4 800 people bitten by animals in Limpopo every year
IOL News
03-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
NSPCA advocates for specialised courts to expedite wildlife cases
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) called for the removal of legislative red tape and an improvement in the judicial system when it came to captive animals. The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) called for the removal of legislative red tape and an improvement in the judicial system when it came to captive animals. The NSPCA made a clarion call for specialised courts to handle wildlife cases and also to expedite cases in the judicial system, during a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment on Tuesday. Douglas Wolhuter, the National Chief Inspector and Manager NSPCA Wildlife Protection Unit said that in 2023 they advocated for no permits to be issued to new facilities, for a full audit of the lion farming industry, a moratorium on breeding and putting an end to lion bone stockpiles. He said that some of the challenges faced are a slow justice system and poor penalties for transgressors and that were many obstacles that they faced between January 2023 and June 2025. Wolhuter pointed out court prosecutions where the accused were found guilty and sentenced to a R4,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 5 years, while another accused was sentenced to R5,000 fine or 10 months imprisonment, half of which is suspended for 5 years. He said that during inspections they found an opium factory, lion cubs discarded in rubbish dumps, illegally kept shark fins and unpermitted lion meet, high schedule drugs kept in the open and without a veterinarian on-site The NSPCA is willing to partake in a co-ordinated inspection with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to carry out the required audits of the facilities. Wolhuter said the NSPCA already shares information with the compliance and enforcement department of the DFFE, and the information sharing must be a two-way street for effective compliance. 'None of us can afford to allow the slow pace of getting the job at hand done,'Wolhuter said. The NSPCA inspection statistics: 133 predator facility inspections in 2022 64 Warnings issued 10 Animal Welfare Notices issued 75 captive lion facilities inspected in 2022. Some facilities have had multiple inspections due to non-compliance. 21 Warrants granted and enforced in 2022 only. 49 Warnings issued 6 Notices issued 23 lions euthanised 4 Dockets Registered 7 Dockets in total for lion farming 1 Case in trial 176 captive lion facilities inspected in 2 years The NSPCA was also concerned about snaring, which caused distress and suffering. Acting chairperson of the committee Ronalda Nalumango said the committee must ensure continuous progress especially in addressing the gaps identified by the high-level experts. She said the DFFE will hold a meeting later this month with the Department of Agriculture where they will reflect on the recommendations by the NSPCA. 'They pin-pointed areas where the legislature needed to improve and refine practices between the department and we recognise the challenges in prosecuting individuals,' she said. Dr Lilian Managa, MP and committee member, said government must confront this issue head on and engage meaningfully and why the existing legislation meant to protect these animals, are not being implemented. Andrew Dirk de Blocq van Scheltinga, MP and committee member, said this has a negative contribution to South Africa's reputation internationally in terms of tourism and unhealthy hunting practices. "There are moral and judiciary reasons to follow through on the recommendations by the task team and panel. The fines are a slap on the wrist and we need to relook at the Animal Protection Act," he said. [email protected]
The Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Lions end losing streak with vital URC victory over Connacht
Rowan Callaghan | Published 1 hour ago The Lions finally had reason to smile again after a 26-7 win over Irish visitors Connacht in their United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park yesterday. The Johannesburg side ended a five-match losing streak, and welcomed back midfield ace Henco van Wyk, who has been stand-out in an up-and-down season that has been more down than up of late. But even he struggled to spark this match to life. That honour went to youngster Renzo du Plessis, who scored the opening try of the game in the 13th minute of a match that was a slow burner till very late on. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter missed his conversion attempt. The Lions started the match in steady enough fashion, without being spectacular. It was a cagey affair in the first stanza. The Lions were coming off an error-strewn few matches and seemed determined to err on the side of caution. They did manage to keep the error count down, but seemed to sacrifice any sense of adventure to achieve that. The visitors, for their part, also looked a far cry from the team that almost snatched a late victory against the Stormers last week in a thrilling encounter in Cape Town. They did not look like the had the firepower or the ambition to break down an organised Lions defence. Wolhuter extended the home side's lead with a penalty from in front of the post. He landed another to make the halftime score 11-0. Another penalty early in second half from Wolhuter made the score 14-0. The game still lacked spark, however. Du Plessis picked up a yellow card for tripping a Connacht player. The Irish side thought they had scored from the rolling maul off a lineout, but the try was ruled out for an infringement in the maul. Lions speedster Edwill van der Merwe also thought he had scored in the 59th minute after a break down the wing. That try was ruled out for head contact by a Lions player in a tackle in the build-up. The Lions eventually breached the Connacht line again via a JC Pretorius try after some slick interplay. Wolhuter again missed the conversion attempt to make it 19-0. Connacht replacement scrumhalf Colm O'Riley was stretched off injured after landing awkwardly in a tackle. Connacht set up rolling maul in the 72nd minute, but the Lions defence stood firm until Eoin de Buitlear barged over the whitewash. The conversion was good. Nico Steyn had the ball knocked out of his hand when it looked for all money like he would score over the Connacht tryline after brilliant work from winger Richard Kriel had set him up. Van der Merwe was unlucky again when he just failed to hang onto the ball after a kick chase. The Lions scrummed strongly to win the penalty. It was a case of third time lucky for Sharks-bound Van der Merwe, who chased down his own kick and dotted down, and Lubabalo Dobela slotted the conversion. The result kept alive the Lions' very slim hopes of a place in the playoffs, ending a miserable losing sequence. Du Plessis was named as the Player of the Match for his industry, energy and strong all-round play. Points-Scorers Lions 26 – Tries: Renzo du Plessis, JC Pretorius, Edwill van der Merwe. Conversion: Lubabalo Dobela (1). Penalties: Kade Wolhuter (3). Connacht 7 – Try: Eoin de Buitlear. Conversion: David Hawkshaw (1).
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lions end losing streak with vital URC victory over Connacht
Renzo du Plessis Renzo du Plessis (left) sparked the Lions into life and scored their first try against Connacht. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Lions finally had reason to smile again after a 26-7 win over Irish visitors Connacht in their United Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park yesterday. The Johannesburg side ended a five-match losing streak, and welcomed back midfield ace Henco van Wyk, who has been stand-out in an up-and-down season that has been more down than up of late. But even he struggled to spark this match to life. That honour went to youngster Renzo du Plessis, who scored the opening try of the game in the 13th minute of a match that was a slow burner till very late on. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter missed his conversion attempt. The Lions started the match in steady enough fashion, without being spectacular. It was a cagey affair in the first stanza. The Lions were coming off an error-strewn few matches and seemed determined to err on the side of caution. They did manage to keep the error count down, but seemed to sacrifice any sense of adventure to achieve that. The visitors, for their part, also looked a far cry from the team that almost snatched a late victory against the Stormers last week in a thrilling encounter in Cape Town. They did not look like the had the firepower or the ambition to break down an organised Lions defence. Wolhuter extended the home side's lead with a penalty from in front of the post. He landed another to make the halftime score 11-0. Another penalty early in second half from Wolhuter made the score 14-0. The game still lacked spark, however. Du Plessis picked up a yellow card for tripping a Connacht player. The Irish side thought they had scored from the rolling maul off a lineout, but the try was ruled out for an infringement in the maul. Lions speedster Edwill van der Merwe also thought he had scored in the 59th minute after a break down the wing. That try was ruled out for head contact by a Lions player in a tackle in the build-up. The Lions eventually breached the Connacht line again via a JC Pretorius try after some slick interplay. Wolhuter again missed the conversion attempt to make it 19-0. Connacht replacement scrumhalf Colm O'Riley was stretched off injured after landing awkwardly in a tackle. Connacht set up rolling maul in the 72nd minute, but the Lions defence stood firm until Eoin de Buitlear barged over the whitewash. The conversion was good. Ace outside centre Henco van Wyk recovered from an injury and was included in the Lions team to face Connacht. Image: BackpagePix Nico Steyn had the ball knocked out of his hand when it looked for all money like he would score over the Connacht tryline after brilliant work from winger Richard Kriel had set him up. Van der Merwe was unlucky again when he just failed to hang onto the ball after a kick chase. The Lions scrummed strongly to win the penalty. It was a case of third time lucky for Sharks-bound Van der Merwe, who chased down his own kick and dotted down, and Lubabalo Dobela slotted the conversion.
