Nearly 200 animals kept at rescue shelters suffering from neglect - Cape of Good Hope SPCA

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has seized nearly 200 animals from an animal rescue shelter just outside Atlantis after inspections revealed that animals kept at the establishment were suffering from neglect.

COURTESY: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Following an urgent warrant secured from the Atlantis Magistrates Court, the SPCA says the most critical cases were removed from the Mahanaimfeet Sanctuary last Thursday.

Spokesperson, Belinda Abraham said a follow-up inspection was conducted on Tuesday, and a further 75 dogs were removed from their care.

Abraham said that not all who claim to rescue animals truly help them. She says the SPCA has intervened in four shocking cases where organisations, registered as NPOs and soliciting public donations, were exposed for neglecting and harming the very animals they claimed to protect.

 ‘’In October 2024, 63 cats and 8 rabbits seized from Kitty Rescue Care & Rehome in Ruyterwacht due to severe welfare concerns; August 2024: 31 dogs in dire need of urgent care removed from HAWK Riverlands under court order, while the facility was ordered to reduce overcrowding; February 2025: The SPCA raided the home of a rescuer in Wynberg, removing 16 cats and 5 rabbits, also living in poor conditions. The cats were sick, and the rabbits had severely overgrown nails and teeth; March 2025: The largest intervention yet—163 dogs and 29 tortoises rescued from Mahanaimfeet Sanctuary outside Atlantis.’’

COURTESY: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

In the latest incident, Mahanaimfeet Sanctuary, run by Mr. Ockert Kruger, promotes itself as “Saving Lives Paw By Paw” and “A Peaceful Home for Retired Heroes.” But behind the façade of compassion, SPCA Inspectors uncovered extreme neglect and suffering.

‘’Dogs left in agony: Severe skin conditions, flea infestations, untreated medical issues—including a lame dog with open sores, dragging himself, and a dog with a burst tumour; Suffering in silence: Matted fur, overgrown nails, dental disease, and many other indications of severe neglect.; Illegal wildlife captivity: 29 tortoises starved, covered in ticks, and surrounded by the remains of dead tortoises.

‘’This was not Mr. Kruger’s first encounter with the law or the SPCA; it appears to be a repeating cycle of renting properties, accumulating debt, and evading eviction—all while using the animals as a source of income. Shockingly, in 2018, the Swellendam SPCA seized horses from him under similar conditions. Today, that court case is still unresolved, and he has continued operating. Mr. Kruger and his family, who are seemingly blind to the suffering around them, attempted to conceal dogs from our Inspectors, leading to Mr. Kruger’s arrest for obstruction and animal cruelty,’’ said Abraham.

COURTESY: Cape of Good Hope SPCA

Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse said the SPCA is taking legal action to stop Mr. Kruger from acquiring more animals while court proceedings are underway.

“No animal deserves to live like this. These dogs and tortoises had no voice, no choice, and no escape. We were their only hope. We need the public to stand with us—because without regulation and accountability, this cruelty will continue.”

He said the Cape of Good Hope SPCA is spearheading changes to the City By-Laws to facilitate regulation and oversight of the sector in collaboration with the authorities.

 

Done by: Mitchum George