The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has expressed outrage after a suspect escaped from Sea Point’s police custody on Saturday. Ncubeko Hloni — widely known as the “Dunoon puppy seller” — was arrested earlier that day after attempting to sell puppies on Main Road in Green Point.
PICTURED - Ncubeko Hloni (Cape of Good Hope SPCA)‘’Concerned members of the public noticed that the puppy he
was carrying appeared lethargic and unwell and immediately intervened. When
Hloni attempted to flee, a bystander managed to apprehend him before Green
Point CID officers stepped in to detain him,’’ said Belinda Abraham, Cape of
Good Hope SPSCA spokesperson.
‘’A second puppy was discovered inside Hloni’s backpack,
which had been zipped closed with no ventilation. This puppy was also lethargic
and in poor condition. Both animals were rushed to a private veterinarian by a
compassionate member of the public. They have since been examined and are now
safe in the care of the SPCA,’’ added Abraham.
Hloni was transported to Sea Point SAPS, where SPCA
Inspectors were preparing to lay criminal charges. While being held in the
station’s cells, Hloni requested to use the bathroom.
‘’A SAPS member escorted him but left him alone inside —
despite the bathroom having a small, unsecured window with no burglar bars.
Hloni escaped through that window and fled,’’ explained Abraham.
“I am deeply disappointed and frankly stunned by the sheer
carelessness displayed by SAPS in this incident,” “How does one leave a suspect
alone in a bathroom with no burglar bars? What if this was a murderer? We have
been informed that this is the second escape from the same station in the past
week — it is completely unacceptable,’’ said Jaco Pieterse, Chief Inspector.
Hloni has an existing animal cruelty case at Table View
SAPS, where he also disappeared after being released on bail. In 2024, during a
sting operation, he outran Law Enforcement officers attempting to detain him.
The pending Table View case relates to a disturbing
incident in which Hloni tied a rope around a rabbit’s neck and swung the animal
into the air during peak traffic on Malibongwe Drive in Dunoon — an act that
caused national outrage. Although he was later traced and arrested by the SPCA,
the case stalled after his disappearance on bail.
The SPCA is offering a R5 000 reward for information
leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of Ncubeko Hloni.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the SPCA
Inspectorate on 0217004158/9 or 0833261604
Western Cape police confirmed that it is probing the matter
‘’Sea Point police registered an escape from lawful custody
case following the escape of a 30 year old suspect on Saturday, 2025-11-29 at
21:20 at Sea Point SAPS. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under
investigation. Police are following up all leads in a bid to re-arrest the
suspect,’’ said Captain F.C Van Wyk, Western Cape police spokesperson.
Done By: Mitchum George
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