Write and submit a 500-word essay on marine mammals, part of sentence for four men who stoned Cape Fur Seal at Monwabisi beach

Four suspects, arrested in January 2023, for stoning a Cape fur seal, at Monwabisi beach, were sentenced at the Khayelitsha Regional Court on Monday.

Luxolo Godana, Nyameko Titi, Nkosinathi Ndzendevu, and Zamani Sibusiso, faced animal cruelty charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. They were also charged with hunting a protected species without a permit, violating the Threatened or Protected Marine Species (ToPS) Regulations of 2017 and the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) 10 of 2004.

PICTURE - Cape of good Hope SPCA: Four men sentenced for stoning Cape Fur seal

The Khayelitsha Regional Court handed down a sentence of six years imprisonment, suspended for five years, contingent upon several conditions.

Magistrate D Francke, presiding over the case, expressed stern sentiments about the culprits. “These four young men committed a grievous offense. Facing this Court, it’s evident they fail to grasp the gravity of their actions.”

The conditions as part of the sentence included:

·        Avoid convictions under sections of the National Environment Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.

·        Write and submit a 500-word essay on marine mammals, highlighting the importance of wildlife and education for preservation, drawing from the book “Marine Mammals: A guide to the whales, dolphins and seals of Southern Africa and Southern Oceans” by Chris and Mathilda Stuart.

·        Share this essay on their Facebook walls and submit to the Clerk of Court Khayelitsha by specified deadlines.

·        Undertake 18 months of community service, clocking a minimum of 16 hours monthly at SPCA-designated branches.

·        Make consistent financial contributions totalling R2000 each to the SPCA.

 

The Cape of Good Hope’s SPCA welcomed the sentencing.

“We welcome this judgement and will ensure the convicts abide by the court’s mandate. Our aim is to teach these individuals compassion, a value crucial for the wellbeing of society and its creatures,’’ said Jaco Pieterse, Chief Inspector of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

‘’The incident serves as a bleak reminder of the urgent need for increased awareness and education on animal rights and welfare,’’ he added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George