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ConCourt recognises NSPCA's powers to prosecute


News24
8 Dec 2016

Johannesburg - The National council of Societies for the Protection Against the Cruelty of Animals (NSPCA) now has the power to independently prosecute suspects after the Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled in favour of the organisation.

"It noted that the NSPCA's power to institute proceedings cannot be divorced from its functions," a press release by the Constitutional Court reads.

The ruling follows the National Prosecuting Authority's refusal to prosecute an incident of alleged cruel and inhuman slaughter of two camels in 2010, which the NSPCA referred to the NPA.

It furthermore overrules previous rulings against the NSPCA in the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal.

The NSPCA welcomed the decision by the Constitutional Court.

"We feel vindicated and consider this a notable victory for the welfare of animals in South Africa. We shall not let them down," a statement by the NSPCA reads.

"The judgment recognised that the NSPCA is best placed to conduct such private prosecutions, and to give effect to enforcing the offences set out in the Animal Protection Act."

The NSPCA was founded in 1955 and undertakes 90% of all animal welfare investigations and prosecutions in South Africa, according to their website.

Source: News24

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