No bail for donkey slayers
A man and a woman accused of skinning donkeys alive have been denied bail in the Sani Magistrates Court.
Morena Kimanu Dlomo and Lati Makatso will appear in court again in two weeks' time on charges of animal cruelty, laid by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA).
This comes after 35 donkeys were found skinned in a kraal on a plot of land eight kilometres from the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho in the Twin Springs area.
NSPCA Inspector, Mpho Mokoena says an illegal slaughtering site of donkeys in Olifantshoek, a town in the Northern Cape, was brought to their attention by locals who complained about a large number of donkeys been stolen.
According to the NSPCA, evidence indicates that the method of slaughter was horrendous.
It is alleged that the donkeys appear to have been immobilised with an instrument, then skinned, while conscious.
The NSPCA says the demand for donkey skin is allegedly for medicinal use.
The NSPCA, together with Sani SPCA personnel, has met with officials in both South Africa and Lesotho to curb the possible spread of donkey skinning to neighbouring countries.
World-wide action is also being taken on the issue, with the Donkey Sanctuary UK having initiated a worldwide consultation and further investigation in preventative measures to stop the trade and decimation of donkeys.