Donkeys skinned alive in Northern Cape
Donkey skins have become hot property, with these animals being slaughtered en masse in the Northern Cape, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
NSPCA Inspector, Mpho Mokoena, says an illegal slaughtering site was brought to their attention by locals who complained about a large number donkeys that have been stolen.
Two men who had been offered a job skinning donkeys tipped them off about its location.
Mokoena says hundreds of animals had allegedly been killed at the site near Olifantshoek.
Mokoena says according to the two suspects some of the animals had been slaughtered while still alive, after being beaten with a hammer.
"They don't wait for the donkeys to die. They just skin it alive. When I interviewed the suspects they said they did not think it was cruel at the time," says Mokoena.
The skins are allegedly sold in the Asian market, where it is believed they possess medicinal properties.
The suspects, Heinrich Smit and Dawid Pappie, will be in court again on 18 February on charges related to the Animals Protection Act and the Meat Safety Act.