Cape of Good Hope SPCA withdraws its mobile clinic services in Khayelitsha after two armed hijacking attempts
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has withdrawn its Mobile Clinic Services in Khayelitsha after two armed hijacking attempts
A mobile clinic operator survived a violent hijacking
attempt in Khayelitsha on Thursday. Inside the vehicle at the time were four
cats and twelve dogs, all of which were being returned home following
sterilisation at the SPCA’s Animal Hospital.
ARCHIVE - Cape of Good Hope SPCAThe operator, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described
the ordeal:
“I drove for my life – and theirs… I’m the breadwinner at
home. My immediate concern was what will happen to my family if I am not here
anymore – and what will happen to the animals in my van. Then I drove for my
life – and theirs. One gunman was in front of the vehicle and the other at my
side window. I am thankful to God that I was able to get away.”
The animal welfare organisation says that while the staff
member escaped physically unharmed, the trauma of these attacks has left the
mobile clinic team visibly shaken. Counselling and psychological support are
being provided through the SPCA’s staff wellness initiatives.
This attack followed an initial attempted hijacking of the
same van in the same area just 2 days earlier.
“This is devastating
for the animals of Khayelitsha,” said Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson for the
Society. “Crime threatens human lives and now it has robbed animals of
essential veterinary care. The SPCA mobile clinics are a lifeline for pets in
this community, providing vaccinations, sterilisation, and parasite treatments
in an area where access to veterinary care is already so limited. We are
incredibly saddened that it has come to this.”
‘’Our priority remains the safety of our staff, who often
work under extreme risk to provide services to animals in crime ridden areas.
While we continue to seek safer ways to proactively serve in these communities,
our commitment to animal welfare in Khayelitsha will for the immediate future
be limited to Inspectorate services only,’’ she added.
Done By: Mitchum George
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