Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-01-21 Reporter: Melanie Peters Reporter: Candes Keating

SPCA to Charge Yengeni for Animal Cruelty

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2007-01-21

Reporter

 Melanie Peters, Candes Keating

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Tony Yengeni was given special permission by Correctional Services to go shopping outside the jurisdiction of his parole for the bull that was slaughtered at his parents' home on Friday as part of his welcome home celebrations.

Yengeni travelled 150km to a farm near Porterville on Tuesday, the day after his release from prison to buy the bull.

Yesterday a spokesman for the SPCA said they planned to lay charges of cruelty to animals against Yengeni tomorrow.

"I am horrified to find out that Tony Yengeni stabbed the bull with a spear before it was killed," said Inspector Andries Venter, adding that he would meet the SPCA's lawyers and chief executive to discuss the issue tomorrow.

The former ANC chief whip spent only four months of a four- year sentence in Malmesbury Prison for lying to Parliament about a discount he received on a 4x4 from one of the companies bidding for a slice of the multi-billion rand arms deal.

Although prison sources say Yengeni's parole conditions prevent him from leaving Cape Town, provincial Correctional Services spokesman Luphumzo Kebeni said the former prisoner was given permission for the trip and, in fact, was accompanied by a senior member of Correctional Services.

A Correctional Services source said Yengeni arrived at Voorberg Prison with the deputy director of Malmesbury Prison, Chris van Rensburg, the day after his much-publicised release. Accompanied by another official, they went to a nearby farm and bought the brown and white bull, which was later delivered to Gugulethu.

Correctional Services has refused to disclose details of Yengeni's parole conditions, saying they are a private matter between him and the department.

But Yengeni's period in prison has been marked by accusations that he received special treatment.

The bull and two sheep were slaughtered on Friday afternoon as part of a post-prison cleansing ceremony.

Independent Democrats chief whip, Lance Greyling, said he would put a question to parliament in order to get clarity on the conditions of Yengeni's parole conditions.

Meanwhile, several outraged readers contacted Weekend Argus after a picture of the trussed bull, with Yengeni in the background, was published on the front page yesterday.

Jenna Hanslip, who works for a pet store in Brackenfell, said she had laid a complaint with the SPCA.

"I was disgusted with the way the bull was tied up. It's clear that the animal was in distress. I know we must respect other people's cultures but this is barbaric.''

With acknowledgements to Melanie Peters, Candes Keating and Cape Argus.


*1       Cultural relativism is true, but animals also have certain rights.