A Limpopo man has been convicted of animal cruelty after a TikTok video showing him repeatedly slapping four donkeys across the face went viral.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Daniel Roth/Unsplash
Nano Masalesa, known online as “Skeem Noa”, was convicted under South Africa’s Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 following an investigation by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA).
The case relates to a video that surfaced on social media in September 2022.
Viral video leads to NSPCA investigation
The footage showed Masalesa running alongside a cart being pulled by four donkeys and driven by a young boy in the Mohodi area near Bochum, Limpopo.
He stopped the animals, shouted at them and repeatedly slapped them across the face. The donkeys appeared frightened and attempted to pull away.
According to the NSPCA, inspectors traced the incident to the area and obtained a warrant to search the property.
When they visited on 4 October 2022, Masalesa was in Pretoria. Inspectors instead located the donkeys’ owner, who was Masalesa’s uncle.
The owner surrendered the four donkeys featured in the video, along with a suckling foal, to the NSPCA.
The animals were taken to the Polokwane SPCA, where they received treatment for internal and external parasites before later being made available for adoption.
The NSPCA subsequently opened a criminal case against Masalesa, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
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Court orders payment towards donkey care
The matter was eventually heard in the Bochum Magistrate’s Court, where Masalesa was convicted of animal cruelty.
The court postponed sentencing for three years under section 297 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
As a condition, Masalesa must pay R5,000 to the Polokwane SPCA towards the ongoing care of the donkeys.
He has until 19 September 2029 to comply with the court order.
If he fulfils the condition, he will receive a caution and the conviction will remain on his record. Failure to comply could result in the court imposing a fine or a term of imprisonment.
The NSPCA said the case highlights its continued efforts to investigate animal cruelty shared on social media and bring properly investigated cases before the courts.
The organisation also urged that incidents of animal cruelty, including those filmed or distributed online, be reported to the relevant authorities.
Source: IOL
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