The Bulletin News – Page 152

Friend shot at funeral dies in hospital

Crime

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February 21, 2021

SUSPECT SHOT AT FRIEND AFTER FUNERAL, RESULTING IN THE LATTER’S DEATH IN HOSPITAL.

NELSPRUIT – A 31-year-old man is expected to appear before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Monday, 22 February 2021, after he allegedly shot at his 24-year-old friend who later succumbed to the gunshot wound in hospital.

This incident happened yesterday, 20 February 2021, at approximately 14:00, at Clewer near Witbank, where the pair had attended a funeral. It was reported that after the said funeral, the duo is alleged to have had a hair-raising argument that led to the fatal shooting. Immediately after the incident, the suspect is said to have transported the victim in his vehicle and then handed him over to the paramedics who were in the vicinity of a shopping complex in the area, then vanished thereafter.

Today, 21 February 2021, the suspect handed himself over to the police and also brought with him the firearm believed to have been used in the murder. The firearm was then booked in as an exhibit.

Spiralling from the funeral of the suspect’s friend, the police have since gathered that certain community members behaved unrulily, thus conflicting with the Lockdown Regulations by conducting an after tears event, spinning cars and not wearing masks, nor practised social distancing. The community also did not want to heed the call by police when they were urged to stop with their activities and this is a worrying factor as their conduct was depicting a degree of lawlessness and danger.

Also read: Two (2) life sentences for Rapist

A police officer who tried to engage with the community regarding their actions was manhandled around and vulgar words used against him for carrying out his duties. As if that was not obscene enough, some police vehicles were also pelted with beer bottles at the same event.

Police in Mpumalanga warn the community to abide by the prescripts of the law as at this level, no one is permitted to conduct an after tears event nor parties. The community is further warned not to obstruct police from doing their work. The same point is driven home to Liquor outlets owners to strictly adhere to the Lockdown Regulations.

Find all your SAPS Mpumalanga contact details HERE

Secunda Reformed Church morning service 21 February 2021

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 21, 2021

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Secunda Reformed Church morning service 21 February 2021

Welcome to the Sunday morning service of the Secunda Reformed Church

“What Is Impossible With Man Is Possible With God” by Anton Knoetze

Secunda Reformed Church morning service 21 February 2021

2 Chronicles 33 – King James Version

33 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

²But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

Also read: Secunda Reformed Church morning service 14 February 2021

³For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

⁴Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

⁵And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

⁶And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

⁷And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

⁸Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

⁹So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

¹⁰And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

¹¹Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

¹²And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

¹³And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.

¹⁴Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

¹⁵And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

¹⁶And he repaired the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.

¹⁷Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the Lord their God only.

¹⁸Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the Lord God of Israel, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel.

¹⁹His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sins, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.

²⁰So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

²¹Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

²²But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;

²³And humbled not himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more.

²⁴And his servants conspired against him, and slew him in his own house.

²⁵But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

Kruik se Oggenddiens 21 February 2021

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 21, 2021

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Welkom by Kruik gemeente se Oggenddiens, 21 February 2021

Vanoggend se tema is “Wat is die verskil tussen plesier en geluk?”

Kruik se oggenddiens 21 Februarie 2021

Wat is die verskil tussen plesier en geluk? Kan ons beide hê?

Lees ook: Kruik se Oggenddiens 14 February 2021

Preeknotas + Besprekingsvrae: https://bible.com/events/48532348

Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere:

1. Gee Aanlyn – Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr: 1510140016

2. Gee deur Zapper App – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.

Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (0721336130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.

Ons sal graag met jou gesels. Geniet die diens saam met ons!

Kruik CCLI lisensie nr: #573361

U is ons alles R. Burger ©️ 2017 Urial Publishing CCLI #573661

Be The Center J. Duvall ©️ 2001 James Duvall CCLI #573661

My Herder C Barkhuizen & R Jones ©️ 2020 Kruik Musiek CCLI #573661

Eskom Price Hike confirmed by North Gauteng High Court

News

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 18, 2021

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Eskom Price Hike confirmed by North Gauteng High Court

Eskom notes and respects the order by the High Court on the tariff adjustment for FY 2021/22

Eskom notes and respects the order made today by the. This order will result in an average price increase of approximately 15% in the electricity tariff for standard tariff customers starting on 1 April 2021. This court decision allows Eskom to recover efficiently incurred costs for the production of electricity.

It also contributes to the “user-pay” principle and is likely to lessen the financial burden of supporting Eskom on the Government, releasing the government to focus on other priorities. Implementation of the order will allow Eskom to move towards addressing some of the revenue shortfalls and enable Eskom to recover prudently incurred costs for the production of electricity, which will help to improve Eskom’s financial sustainability.

The Eskom Chief Financial Officer, Calib Cassim welcomed the decision and stressed that poor residential customers will continue to be supported through the free basic electricity programme, as well as affordability subsidies provided for in the NERSA tariff decision.

Identified vulnerable industrial sectors will be considered by NERSA in terms of the short-term and long-term negotiated pricing agreements promulgated recently by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Also Read: Two (2) life sentences for Rapist

This order is in response to Eskom requesting the execution of a High Court decision that
allowed the recovery of incorrectly deducted Government equity support for the FY 2021/22.

Since Eskom made this urgent application to the High Court, The National Energy Regulator
of South Africa (NERSA) had made additional decisions related to the recovery of efficient costs
from previous years.

The High Court order allows a further 5.44c/kWh increase.

Visit Eskom HERE

Two (2) life sentences for Rapist

Crime

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 17, 2021

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MAN SLAPPED WITH TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR RAPE OFFENCES

NELSPRUIT – Police in Mpumalanga celebrate a landslide victory in a serial rapist’s court case that has been going on for a period of three consecutive years, which has seen another rapist removed from the society. The rapist, a 26-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the minors he also raped, was slapped with two life terms by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Graskop.

The court heard how the accused sadistically and violently subjected women to a terrific life in society. He is said to have been operating in the Sabie area where he preyed on his victims aged between 15 and 51, in May as well as June 2018. In his operation, the unapologetic rapist allegedly did not consider the pain and agony that his young and innocent victims were going through, let alone tarnishing their future.

He carried out his evil mission, raping defenceless women and children armed with a knife. Seven cases of rape were registered by the police against his name. After the increasing outcry and mounting of rape cases in the area, the police conducted their probe and launched an intensive search for the suspect.

During their investigation, they discovered that the suspect would normally drag his victims from the streets and then take them to the nearby bushes against their will, where he raped them. When carrying out these evil acts, he used to blindfold his victims with a cloth and instructed them not to look at him. He would also make sure that he had covered his face with a balaclava throughout the whole drama.

Also read: SPCA rescue abandoned dogs at a closed abattoir

In February 2019, police made a breakthrough in their investigation when they arrested him for the offences he had committed. The matter went to court where he was finally sentenced on 12 February 2021, for the seven cases of rape, hence his sentencing as follows :

On the count of raping the minors, the accused was sentenced to two life sentences.
On the other five counts of rape, he was lashed with 15 years to languish in prison for each count, adding up to a total of 75 years imprisonment.

The court has ordered that for the purpose of sentence, the 75 years jail term will run concurrently with the two life sentences and the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Furthermore his name will be entered into the register of sexual offenders.

The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, is elated about this hefty sentence that has been imposed upon the man. The General has also applauded the sterling work done by the team of Detectives, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary.

“Our efforts in the fight against criminal acts committed to women and children is surely yielding positive results. We are hopeful that this sentence will reassure women in the society of our endeavours to harshly deal with violence perpetrated by evil men who disregard women and treat them as objects to be punished,” said the General.

Find all your SAPS Mpumalanga contact details HERE

Dries and Irene Minnie, victims of the COVID pandemic

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 16, 2021

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Dries and Irene Minnie, victims of the COVID pandemic

Irene and Dries Minnie passed away in January and February of this year

Reporting on stories is what newspapers do most of the time. As a reporter, I always hope that I do not have to report on people close to me or people that I know well.

It has happened that I knew some of the people that I reported on and in the past few months several people that I knew passed away. I am sure that you the reader will also attest to knowing someone that passed away the past few months.

Today I bring you the sad news of Dries and Irene Minnie. This year on 6 February they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, due to illness, both Irene and Dries passed away before the big celebration. Irene passed away on the 22nd of January 2021 and Andries (Dries) passed away on the 3rd of February 2021.

Irene and Dries passed away — **Irene and Dries Minnie**

They leave behind three daughters, Adelaine, Jackie and Deidre. Their two sons-in-law’s, Gawie and Justin, and their grandchildren, Juan, Cameron, Ruben and Amy-Leigh. They were also fondly known as “Mom” and “Dad” to a few extra children (friends) and “Ouma” and “Oupa” to a few more.

I asked Jackie to write down a short history of Dries and Irene. Thank you to Jackie, Adelaine and Deidre for the story.

We would also like to extend our condolences to them all for the loss of both parents in such a short time.

Although I already used some of their story in the intro, I place the rest here:

Written by Deidre

37 years ago, Dries and Irene Minnie along with their three daughters moved to Secunda. Both started working at Sasol and for several years Irene also worked for two audit companies in town.

Irene loved people and visiting with friends and family meant so much to her. She could talk for hours and hours. Her incredible memory for detail was shared with every story she told. Irene loved telling stories and all the children in the family have fond memories of these times spent with her.

She was a bubbly person always filled with laughter. Irene was described as such an incredible lady, so full of joy and always ready with a smile and an open door. Anyone was welcome in the house, and often a room was shared for months with whoever needed it and there was always another cup of coffee or plate of food to be had.

Many thought of her as their second mom, the mother hen looking after all her chicks. Her kindness, empathy, and caring will be missed. Irene’s love for cooking, inspired by Master Chef, ensured that we shared many tasty meals around her table. Her grandchildren fondly remember how her house had no rules except when Master Chef or Tour De France was on.

Also read: SPCA rescue abandoned dogs at a closed abattoir

She loved books and loved to cuddle with her grandchildren reading to them.

Where Irene is remembered as the mother and storyteller, Dries is remembered as the worker. He took great pride in his work in the Mines and always ensured the work was done properly and safely. Safety was so important to him and he spent many years on the Mine’s Proto Teams looking out for others.

He worked for his friends. If anyone had a broken car, needed welding, electrical or anything else fixed Dries was there. He did not hesitate to help a friend in need no matter what day or time it was. He was not only passionate about his work but with the time he spent with his daughters and grandchildren, talking, playing board games or building things.

He loved his garden, photography and his painting and found much peace in his hobbies. After all the years of walking on the mines, he enjoyed his park walks and his tenacity was seen there too as he would clear away branches that would be on the path to make it easier for all the runners and walkers.

Their love and caring for others were also seen in servitude through their work with the church and the various charities they helped. The house was always full of things to be donated, and they spent many hours driving all over to ensure that these were distributed to those in need. When times called for it, they would take from their cupboard to give to those who needed it more. Irene would serve teas and Dries would be doing repairs at the church.

Irene and Dries both loved deeply and treasured every moment they spent with their family and friends. We know that heaven has become a lot noisier as Irene catches up with all her friends, and Dries is walking around checking to make sure everything is fine and in working order. We know you were always a team and could not be kept apart.

Mom and Dad, you are deeply loved and missed every day. You filled a big space in our lives and hearts, and now we are filling those spaces with our special memories of you.

Read more about SA’s fight against COVID on the Department of Health’s website HERE

Secunda Reformed Church morning service 14 February 2021

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 14, 2021

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Secunda Reformed Church morning service 14 February 2021

Welcome to the Sunday morning service of the Secunda Reformed Church

“Assurance In Times Of Uncertainty” by Anton Knoetze

Secunda Reformed Church morning service 14 February 2021

Romans 14 – New International Version

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

²One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

³The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

⁴Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

⁵One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.

⁶Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

⁷For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.

⁸If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

⁹For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

Also read: Secunda Reformed Church morning service 7 February 2021

¹⁰You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

¹¹It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”^[b]

¹²So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

¹³Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

¹⁴I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.

¹⁵If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.

¹⁶Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.

¹⁷For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

¹⁸because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

¹⁹Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

²⁰Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

²¹It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

²²So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

²³But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.^[c]

Footnotes

Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.
Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.

Kruik se Oggenddiens 14 February 2021

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 14, 2021

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Welkom by Kruik gemeente se Oggenddiens, 14 February 2021

Vanoggend se tema is: Wat maak jou gelukkig? Kan geld ons gelukkig maak?

Kruik se oggenddiens 14 February 2021

Kan geld ons gelukkig maak? Wat is die konneksie tussen geld en geluk?

Lees ook: Kruik se Oggenddiens 7 February 2021

Preeknotas + Besprekingsvrae: http://bible.com/events/48528500

Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere:

1. Gee Aanlyn – Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr: 1510140016

2. Gee deur Zapper App – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.

Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (0721336130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.

Ons sal graag met jou gesels.

Geniet die diens saam met ons!

Kruik CCLI lisensie nr: #573361

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So is die Lewe: My naam is Vlekkie.

Columnist

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 12, 2021

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Geniet nog ‘n aflewering van “So is die Lewe” uit die pen van Marius Britz.

My naam is Vlekkie. Diè naam het ek gekry toe ek nog ‘n klein hondjie was, so jaar gelede. Dis omdat ek so bruin kol op my rug het. Toe my oubaas my Vlekkie noem, het die naam so mooi geklink. So asof die verkleiningswoordjie beloftes inhou dat hy lief gaan wees vir my, mooi na my gaan kyk, dat ek hom oral sal volg, agter op sy bakkie gaan ry, selfs by hom slaap in die aand. Ek het vandat hy my gekry het, oral agter hom aangeloop.

Ek was sy skaduwee. Ek wou net heerlik rondhardloop op die erf, voëltjies jaag en al die balle vang wat hy na my toe gooi. Ek wou in die middae, wanneer die son maklik bo 40 grade begin brand, saam met hom ‘n middagslapie vang voor die waaier in sy kamer.

Ek was ‘n baldadige, vrolike en uitbundige hondjie. Ek het sommer uit pure lawwigheid geblaf as daar ‘n bakkie in die pad verbyry, of as die buurman in sy tuin loop. Nie omdat ek kwaai is nie, maar omdat ek lief is vir mense, vir aandag, omdat ek baie liefde en energie het om uit te deel.

Baie van die honde wat van dieselfde ras is as ek, ry in die veld agterop hulle eienaars se bakkies. Dan spring hulle sommer in die ry af, en hardloop sirkels deur die bosse op soek na ‘n haas om te jaag. Ons rassoort lewe voluit, vol energie en lewenslus. Ons is baie lojaal.

Toe, een dag, hardloop ek na my oubaas toe. Ek het teen hom opgespring, my stertjie geswaai, en gesmeek dat hy ‘n stok moet gooi wat ek moet gaan haal. Hy het half teruggesteier omdat hy dit nie verwag het nie. “Hierdie hond is te blerrie stout”, het hy gesê. Hy het my gegryp, ‘n halsband om my nek gesit en ‘n ketting van so meter lank agter in die erf aan ‘n paal vasgemaak. Hy het die halsband aan die ketting vasgebind.

Lees ook: So is die Lewe: Daaglikse wedergeboorte van verganklikheid.

Later het hy darem ‘n ou tafel met ‘n seil oor daar neergesit dat ek kan wegkruip as die son so warm brand. Dis net so erg in die winter, as dit so koud word dat al die waterpype vries. Dan bewe ek heel nag van die koue daar onder die tafel. Daar is darem ‘n bak met kos en ‘n bak met water wat volgemaak word as dit leeg is. Daar is nie ‘n grasperk agter in die erf nie, net gruisklip en plaveisel. Dit raak maar hard om heeldag op die klippers te lê. My jong lyfie is stram, en ek staan rukkerig op soos ‘n stokou hond. Veral as die son so woedend brand.

My ogies het dof geword. Ek is nie meer opgewonde nie, ek kyk nie meer op as die buurman my vriendelik roep nie. Ek kan in elk geval nie tot by die draad loop nie, die ketting is te kort. Ek blaf glad nie meer nie, so ek weet nie of my oubaas my eers sal hoor as daar gevaar in die nag kom nie. Hy is ook al redelik doof. My ogies is hartseer, ek kyk nie meer rond nie, steur my nie meer aan enige iets nie. Ek lê. Onder die tafel of op die gruisklip. Ek lê. Ek swaai nie eens meer my stertjie as iemand my roep: “Vlekkie!” nie.

My naam is Vlekkie. En ek wonder of my lewe altyd so droewig gaan wees.

Lees ook: The Five Freedoms for Animals

SPCA rescue abandoned dogs at a closed abattoir

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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February 10, 2021

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SPCA rescue abandoned dogs at a closed abattoir

The Bethal SPCA rescued abandoned dogs at the closed abattoir this week.

The Bulletin was investigating the recent closure of the Bethal abattoir when we were informed about the abandoned dogs.

Workers at the mill adjacent the abattoir alerted the Bulletin to at least two dogs that were locked up in one of the outside rooms.

“They are locked up for at least three weeks,” said one of the workers, “the owner is staying in Emzinoni.”

Upon investigation, we found two dogs in one room. They have started to gnaw their way out of the room but could not succeed as the wooden door is too thick.

Bethal SPCA rescues abandoned dogs from closed abattoir

Barking could be heard in another room. This room too was locked and access could not be gained easily.

The Bulletin tried to find a way to the dogs and entered the abandoned building through a side door that was open. Inside another dog was found.

The Bethal SPCA was alerted and they responded quickly.

What we found was horrifying. Inside the abattoir, a timid and friendly, but scared mixed breed was lying on the cold floor. There was no food in sight nor was there any water. It took only a few minutes for the dog to respond to Christine Payne from Bethal SPCA. The dog was fairly skinny. He was happy to follow Cristine outside and to the vehicle.

The Bethal SPCA rescued abandoned dogs at the Bethal SPCA this week. — **This is where one dog was laying on the floor with no food or water**

The first locked room had two Greyhounds in it. A strong smell emanated from the room and the dogs were crying out. The lock was cut and we were both shocked at what we found. The odour was overwhelming. There were faeces everywhere. The faeces had mould on them. There were no food or water visible for the two dogs. A metal grid was placed in front of the door in an apparent attempt to keep the dogs from escaping. It was absolutely appalling!

Also read: Suspect pleads guilty to Animal Cruelty

When the two dogs were loaded into the back of the SPCA bakkie, Christine promptly gave them food. They started eating immediately.

It is at this stage that we realised we needed another vehicle and the rest of the SPCA team was summoned.

Once Lourna and Sibu arrived it was time to tackle the last room. This proved to be even worse than the first room.

The door was forced open only two find two very scared but aggressive dogs in the room. Again the smell was overwhelming, it was nearly unbreathable! A small Jack Russel and a Shar-Pei. The Shar-Pei had to be restrained with a leash on a stick. (When the Bulletin visited the SPCA to see how the dogs are we were met with growling from the Shar-Pei.)

If you are in charge of an animal, you have a duty of care to that animal

This room had a bag of food, but it was folded and there was no access to the food. There was also no water. There were several pots with what looked to be pap (porridge) in it. The pap was covered in mould. The floor was so littered with faeces that it was impossible not to step in it.

It took a while to capture the two dogs and load the onto the bakkie.

The SPCA are compiling a case against the owners for neglect and animal cruelty and are in consultation with the authorities regarding the matter.

The Bulletin would like to bring the following 5 Freedoms of animal welfare to our readers attention.

If you are in charge of an animal, you have a duty of care to that animal – no matter why you are in charge of it, what you are using it for or how long it will be in your care.

Duty of care is based on the internationally recognised “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare:

Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
Freedom from pain, injury or disease: by prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Please report animal abuse to the SPCA.

Animals have feelings too!