Drunk driver slams into Mdzananda Animal Clinic

Tragedy struck at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic on Tuesday evening, when a drunk driver drove into the wall of the premises, causing major damages.

SUPPLIED: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

In a statement, the animal clinic - which serves the Khayelitsha community for 29 years providing veterinary services, shelter and humane education serving 1500  animals per month - says the accused drove a truck straight into the clinic’s operating theatre. The clinic says the incident comes a day after another vehicle had driven into its fence.

SUPPLIED: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

‘’The entire operating theatre will need to be rebuilt. In addition, the clinic’s storage room was flattened and requires urgent reconstruction. This is damage of an enormous scale - damage we could never have budgeted or prepared for. We are devastated, but we are also grateful that no animals or staff were harmed,’’ says Marcelle du Plessis, Mdzananda Animal Clinic’s Fundraising and Communications Executive.

‘’While operations will be severely impacted, the dedicated staff have committed to continue treating animals and delivering the best possible care, despite reduced efficiency,’’ she added.

SUPPLIED: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

The clinic has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to rebuild the theatre and restore full functionality.

“Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us recover from this disaster. Thank you for standing with us in this time of crisis,’’ said Du Plessis.

Police confirmed the incident.

‘’Harare police are investigating a driving under the influence of alcohol case following and accident in which an adult male drove into a wall of a business premises in Govan Mbheki Road, Khayelitsha, on Tuesday, 02 September 2025, at about 18:00. The suspect was arrested by Law Enforcement. The circumstances surrounding incident are under investigation. kindly forward your enquiry to the spokesperson of Law Enforcement for further comment,’’ said Sergeant Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Bush Radio News reached out to the City of Cape Town for comment who says: ''The City's traffic service is unaware of the accident and has no record of it.''

Members of the public are asked to make donations to support the urgent rebuilding effort. Banking details: Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Nedbank, Current Account, Branch Code: 198765, Acc: 1314465147, Reference: damage + your name

Done by: Mitchum George